England seal quarter-final place
Everton’s Toni Duggan has fired England U20s Women into the quarter-final of the World Cup in Chile.
Needing just a draw from their final group A game against New Zealand; the lionesses found themselves a goal down with just seconds of the game to go before Duggan blasted in an equaliser.
The tournament has been a successful one for Merseyside with four members of the squad coming from Everton Ladies F.C. Joining Duggan in Chile are Natasha Dowie, Michelle Hinnigan and Fern Whelan who has had the honour of being named captain by manager Mo Marley.
The girls saw off hosts Chile in their first game 2-0 with Duggan also on the score sheet that day. A Natasha Dowie header then earned them a 1-1 draw with Nigeria and left them top of group A on goal difference.
New Zealand proved tougher opposition than expected but Duggan’s strike saw England gain second spot in the group behind Nigeria who beat Chile. They will now meet the U.S.A. for a place in the semi-finals.
Marley will be delighted with how her Evertonians have performed so far and will be hoping they can maintain their form into the last eight.
Further details can be found in the women’s section of the Football Association website at www.thefa.com.