Published 19 February 2023 4 min read
England Women's Senior Team
England's Rachel Daly and Katie Robinson react to Italy win
The Lionesses' attacking pair talk about their involvement in the 2-1 win over Italy in Coventry
England’s attacking duo Rachel Daly and Katie Robinson reflected on a good afternoon as they combined to help seal a 2-1 win over Italy in the Arnold Clark Cup.
Daly was playing as a centre-forward, as Sarina Wiegman opted for an experimental line-up in Coventry, with Robinson making her first senior start.
And the pair combined in the first half with Robinson’s right-wing cross headed firmly home by Daly to open the scoring.
“I think I’m pretty good in the air it probably helps when I am playing all over the place in different positions,” admitted Daly, who was named as player-of-the-match.
“I’ll always say I will play anywhere. I’m happy to score but winning the game was in the forefront of my mind.
“For me, right place right time, it was a fantastic ball from LJ [Lauren James] for the second one and Robbo the first one.
“I’m here to score goals when I play up front, we got the win and that is the most important thing.
Daly was playing as a centre-forward, as Sarina Wiegman opted for an experimental line-up in Coventry, with Robinson making her first senior start.
And the pair combined in the first half with Robinson’s right-wing cross headed firmly home by Daly to open the scoring.
“I think I’m pretty good in the air it probably helps when I am playing all over the place in different positions,” admitted Daly, who was named as player-of-the-match.
“I’ll always say I will play anywhere. I’m happy to score but winning the game was in the forefront of my mind.
“For me, right place right time, it was a fantastic ball from LJ [Lauren James] for the second one and Robbo the first one.
“I’m here to score goals when I play up front, we got the win and that is the most important thing.
What a shift, @RachelDaly3 💫 pic.twitter.com/riLBY7ZzcW
— Lionesses (@Lionesses) February 19, 2023
“That’s what we needed to do, that’s what we did and delivered and the team played brilliantly today.”
Robinson added: “It’s great to assist and help the team as much as possible.
“I think I probably could get some early crosses in and when I did Rachel scored so that was great.”
The result makes it two wins from two games for England in this year’s competition, with their third and final game against Belgium in Bristol to come on Wednesday.
And Daly expects boss Sarina Wiegman will take the opportunity to assess her squad even more thoroughly at Ashton Gate.
“That’s what comes with the depth that we have in this squad, we have some unbelievable players in this team and every single one of them is capable of playing at any time and you saw that tonight,” added Daly.
Robinson added: “It’s great to assist and help the team as much as possible.
“I think I probably could get some early crosses in and when I did Rachel scored so that was great.”
The result makes it two wins from two games for England in this year’s competition, with their third and final game against Belgium in Bristol to come on Wednesday.
And Daly expects boss Sarina Wiegman will take the opportunity to assess her squad even more thoroughly at Ashton Gate.
“That’s what comes with the depth that we have in this squad, we have some unbelievable players in this team and every single one of them is capable of playing at any time and you saw that tonight,” added Daly.
“There were some amazing performances and there’s plenty more to come.
“It keeps us on our toes but the competition is so healthy and one that we all thrive in and want that challenge.”
For Robinson, it was a special moment as she was given the chance to impress from the start having only won her first cap in last November’s games in Spain.
“I’m unbelievably proud to have been given my first start, I was nervous when I found out I was starting,” admitted the Newquay-born attacker, who now plays for Brighton & Hove Albion in the BWSL.
“Of course, I think it’s natural before the game to be nervous and then when you get out there the nerves just go away because you’re doing what you love.
“Any opportunity I get on the pitch I want to try and express myself and show what I can do so hopefully I am doing that.”
“It keeps us on our toes but the competition is so healthy and one that we all thrive in and want that challenge.”
For Robinson, it was a special moment as she was given the chance to impress from the start having only won her first cap in last November’s games in Spain.
“I’m unbelievably proud to have been given my first start, I was nervous when I found out I was starting,” admitted the Newquay-born attacker, who now plays for Brighton & Hove Albion in the BWSL.
“Of course, I think it’s natural before the game to be nervous and then when you get out there the nerves just go away because you’re doing what you love.
“Any opportunity I get on the pitch I want to try and express myself and show what I can do so hopefully I am doing that.”
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