England boss Sarina Wiegman explains team gamble ahead of Australia Women's World Cup clash
England boss Sarina Wiegman has spoken out ahead of Australia Women's World Cup clash
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England boss Sarina Wiegman has explained her decision to name an unchanged team for today's Women's World Cup clash with Australia.
Some expected the 53-year-old to change things up in order to take the Matildas by surprise.
But Wiegman has opted against that idea, with the Dutchwoman instead sticking with the same XI that beat Colombia on Saturday.
Mary Earps, Lucy Bronze, Millie Bright, Alex Greenwood, Jess Carter, Rachel Daly, Keira Walsh, Georgia Stanway, Ella Toone, Alessia Russo and Lauren Hemp have all been included.
England boss Sarina Wiegman has explained sticking with her team for Australia Women's World Cup showdown
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And Wiegman has now explained her decision, saying: "I think we played a very good game, it was a great team performance so I don't see any reason to change it."
Sam Kerr is fit for Australia, with the 29-year-old making her first appearance after cameos in victories over Denmark and France.
On the Chelsea star, Wiegman added: "It [her starting the match] doesn't change anything at all.
"We were ready for everything so we've seen them, analysed them, they've played with her and without her.
"We know what we can expect. That's what we've prepared for.
England players have opened up ahead of the match as well.
Hemp said: “We’re all so excited.
“As a group we thrived off the amount of Colombian fans [in the quarter-final].
"I can’t wait to get going against Australia.
“It’s going to be a packed-out stadium with so many Australian fans, but we know if we play at our best we are unstoppable, so hopefully we’ll be able to bring that.”
And Bright is unfazed by the prospect of facing Kerr, despite the pair being team-mates.
"I am approaching it in the same way as any other forward," he said.
"We all know she is a world class striker, she has proved that on many occasions and doesn't need me to say it again.
"I think I thrive in any moment against any opponent but playing against the best is always a bonus."
She added: "It is exciting. We are ready as a team, ready to perform and step up as always.
"Really excited for the atmosphere. Credit to Australia for creating that throughout the tournament, we have felt welcomed by everyone on and off the pitch.
"Who wants to play in a quiet semi-final? Not us!
"The game is between two teams that know a lot about each other.
"But tournament football is all about turning up, fighting for your place in the next game. We are ready to do absolutely everything."
Regarding the crowd, meanwhile, Australia boss Tony Gustavsson acknowledged they could determine how his side fare during the contest.
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However, he also ramped up the mind games by saying England were the favourites to go through.
"If you look at rankings they're favourites, if you look at where their players play, they have starting players in top clubs in top leagues all over the world," he said. "Not just the starting 11, down to 15, 16.
"We have bench players in those teams. We have players playing in mid-table teams in Sweden.
"So if you look at all that and you look at resources, financially, obviously they are massive favourites going into this game.
"But the one thing that we have that they don't have is the support and belief from the fans. That in itself is going to be massive tomorrow."