Fara Williams interview: ‘So many nations can win World Cup – but England know how’
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ealed by a penalty and with their opponents posing way more of a menace than anticipated, England’s 1-0 win over debutants Haiti was an underwhelming begin to the Women’s World Cup.
Fara Williams has seen this many occasions earlier than, although, and isn’t counting the Lionesses out simply but.
It was a considerably stale efficiency from the Lionesses on Saturday in Brisbane, they usually know they need to up the ante in opposition to Denmark in Sydney on Friday.
Williams, 39, is the most-capped England women’s or males’s participant in historical past, having made 172 appearances for the Lionesses between 2001 and 2019. She performed at 4 European Championships and three World Cups.
“In tournament football, people won’t remember the performances”, she tells Standard Sport, evaluating the Haiti victory to the Euros final summer season when England gained the match however began with a equally stodgy 1-0 win over Austria.
“I only remember the Austria game being really poor because I was a pundit and had to be really critical. In games when they weren’t on top, they were able to find a way. If we hadn’t beaten Austria, the tournament might have been a little different.”
Williams, talking at an occasion representing complement model Bioglan, believes the scrappy show in opposition to Haiti shouldn’t dampen the temper of England followers, however nonetheless insists successful the World Cup might be mightily robust.
“It was fantastic last summer and hopefully we can replicate that this summer, but it will be a lot harder away from home,” she says.
“As a fan, I’m thinking we can win it. As a pundit, I’m thinking it’s more difficult. There are a few nations that will be up there. England will be amongst it — quarter-final, semi-final — but there are so many nations and this World Cup could have a new name on the trophy. I think Australia and France have a really good chance.
“But we’ve learned how to win now. Knowing how to win, which is what the Americans know, really does make a difference.”
England are with out captain Leah Williamson and Beth Mead for the match in Australia and New Zealand, however Williams sees one other absentee as a good larger miss.
Fara Williams (proper) with three of the Lionesses after their Euros triumph in opposition to Germany at Wembley 12 months in the past
/ The FA by way of Getty Images“Fran Kirby is the impact that I think of”, she admits. “In tournaments, you need that one magic player. That’s the difference. She was that for us in the Euros and didn’t get spoken about enough. It went unnoticed, she was phenomenal.
“If we had no injuries, we’d have gone in as favourites. They’ve depleted out team.
“They can do it, but this is going to be far more difficult than the Euros.”
Fara Williams has partnered with complement model Bioglan for his or her second collection ‘In Bioglan Balance’ alongside influencer Mat Carter to point out how she finds stability in her busy life. To watch the collection, go to @bioglansupplements on Instagram.