November internationals: Le Tissier earns first England cap
Manchester United Women’s defender Maya Le Tissier made her senior debut for England during Tuesday evening’s 1-1 draw with Norway.
The 20-year-old was named as a starter at the Pinatar Arena in Spain, where she played the first hour of the contest at right-back, before switching to a more central position in the back four, for the final 30 minutes or so.
Le Tissier, who made a summer move to United from Brighton & Hove Albion, was rewarded for her impressive start to life as a Red with her first senior England call-up for the November fixtures, and has now earned her first cap with an appearance in the nation’s second and final international of the month.
Debutants 👏 🏴@MayaLeTissier 🤝 @Katierobinson_9 pic.twitter.com/OmSb7KPgrE
— Lionesses (@Lionesses) November 15, 2022
Le Tissier spoke of her pride in the achievement with the Lionesses’ social media channels after the match, saying: “It’s a dream come true.
“Obviously this is the pinnacle of when you’re playing when you’re younger.
“I’ve always dreamt of this moment and I’m thankful that it’s come about.”
Le Tissier’s early progress at United was something recently discussed by Polly Bancroft, United’s newly appointed head of women’s football, in her first interview with the club, released this week.
“It couldn’t have gone any better for her, I don’t think. So, I’m delighted for her,” Bancroft said on Le Tissier.
“The integration here has been seamless. I’m just really pleased for Maya. Like you say, I know about her from my time at Brighton but yeah, again, a bright future for Maya.
She continued: “Maya’s playing week in, week out, so to be able to give her that profile and the fact she’s now competing at a higher level, as you say, it’s made her be in Sarina [Wiegman’s] mind and Sarina's thoughts to get her that first call-up.”
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ENGLAND
Le Tissier’s appearance meant she was one of five Reds to represent England on the night, during the draw with Norway.
Nikita Parris and Ella Toone also started, while Katie Zelem and Alessia Russo were introduced from the bench in the second half. Goalkeeper Mary Earps had the evening off as an unused substitute.
The draw ensured that the European champions closed out an unbeaten 2022.
NORWAY
There was also United involvement on the other side of the contest, as Vilde Boe Risa and Maria Thorisdottir featured for Norway.
The pair were brought on together by head coach Hege Riise as part of a double substitution in the 73rd minute, shortly after Anja Sonstevold was dismissed for a second bookable offence.
Despite being 1-0 down at the time, following Rachel Daly’s opener, the United duo helped their nation to square the game late on, with Arsenal’s Frida Maanum getting the all-important equaliser.
CANADA
Adriana Leon’s Canada couldn’t make it back-to-back wins over Brazil in a matter of days, being edged out 2-1 in the teams’ second meeting of the November break.
Having scored the deciding goal in the first clash on Friday, United forward Leon played 57 minutes as the teams reunited, but her country couldn’t extend their recent unbeaten run, after the hosts scored a stoppage-time winner in Sao Paolo.
WALES
United’s Carrie Jones netted her second senior international goal for Wales as the Dragons drew 1-1 with Finland on Saturday.
The young Red, currently on loan at Leicester City, registered her first strike against Greece earlier this year and was on the scoresheet again at the weekend.
A second-half Finland penalty would go on to cancel out the goal on the evening, meaning that the honours were shared, in a game that Jones’s United team-mate Hayley Ladd played all of for Wales. Young Reds Safia Middleton-Patel and Chloe Williams were unused substitutes.
Right place. Right time.
— Wales 🏴 (@Cymru) November 12, 2022
✨ @CarrieJones_10 ✨#BeFootball | #TogetherStronger pic.twitter.com/FOACQHN1tY
SCOTLAND
Martha Thomas started and played 70 minutes in Scotland’s 2-1 win over Venezuela on Monday.
Our no.9 was then replaced by Reds team-mate Kirsty Hanson, currently on loan at Aston Villa, who helped to see out the win for her nation.
Hanson also played the second half of Scotland Under-23s’ 2-0 victory over Panama at the weekend.
Our players will return to Carrington where preparations for Saturday’s WSL match against Arsenal, at the Emirates Stadium, are under way.
The Reds will be hoping to respond to our first league loss of the season last time out, at home to Chelsea, during the 17:30 GMT kick-off in the capital.