Women's International Round-up

Fifteen of Casey Stoney’s side were called up to represent their respective national teams, as the Women’s Super League and the other leagues took a break last weekend.

Here’s a round-up of how the Reds got on…

ENGLAND: MILLIE TURNER, LAUREN JAMES, LUCY STANIFORTH, ELLA TOONE, KATIE ZELEM, ABBIE MCMANUS

Our English players went into the international break knowing they didn’t have a competitive fixture, while Norway pulled out of a proposed friendly due to COVID concerns. However, Phil Neville’s women were put through their paces in a training camp and in an in-house friendly. The match finished 8-1 with Ella Toone scoring three times. Abbie McManus was introduced to the side late on in the international break. 

Casey Stoney will certainly be happy to see the girls back and refreshed ahead of some important fixtures for United in December.

WALES: HAYLEY LADD, CARRIE JONES, CHLOE WILLIAMS 

Hayley played the full 90 minutes as Wales ended their Euro 2022 qualifying campaign with a resounding 3-0 victory over Belarus at Rodney Parade. Unfortunately for Wales, despite the win, they finished behind Northern Ireland in Group C and therefore did not qualify for the play-offs. Reds youngsters Carrie Jones and Chloe Williams were on the bench, but neither made it on to the pitch.

SCOTLAND: KIRSTY HANSON, KIRSTY SMITH, JANE ROSS

On 27 November, Scotland lost 1-0 to Portgual, with Kirsty Hanson starting for her national side. Despite an attacking display from Hanson, she could not prevent a disappointing loss for the Scots.  Four days later, it was late heartbreak for our Scottish trio at Easter Road, as they fell to a late 1-0 defeat to Finland. The dramatic loss put an end to their chances of qualifying for the Euros next summer. Kirsty Smith played the full 90 for the Scots, while Jane Ross got 65 minutes under her belt. Kirsty Hanson did not feature. 

NETHERLANDS: JACKIE GROENEN

In the battle of the teammates, Jackie Groenen’s Netherlands lost 2-0 to Christen Press and Tobin Heath’s USA in a repeat of the 2019 World Cup final. Dutch midfielder Groenen played the full 90 minutes against the Americans. In the following game, Groenen was not involved when her team bounced back in style with a dominant 6-0 win over Kosovo as the Netherlands finished the qualifying stage with 10 wins from 10 games.

USA: TOBIN HEATH, CHRISTEN PRESS

Tobin Heath played 75 minutes for the world champions as they beat Groenen’s Netherlands. Christen Press featured for the first 45 minutes in that game and showed her attacking qualities when she set up a goal for Rose Lavelle.

SPAIN: ONA BATLLE

Our young right-back gained valuable international experience as she played the first 45 minutes of Spain’s impressive 10-0 win over Moldova. The Spaniards now only need a point in their last game of the group, against Poland, to qualify for the Euros.