Lianne Sanderson previews England vs Australia at the Women’s World Cup

The lines will be drawn at Stadium Australia on August 16 as the host nation will take on England in the semi-finals of the 2023 Women’s World Cup.

The Lionesses have reached this stage twice – in 2015 and 2019 – and will be hoping to be ‘third-time lucky’, but the hosts will be looking to make history as well, as their highest finish at a World Cup has been the quarter-final stage.

Former Lionesses striker Lianne Sanderson previewed the game for us, giving her opinion on key player battles and some under-the-radar players who can come up big.

In the article:

• Key player battles

• Russo and Hemp Importance

• Tough Stadium Atmosphere 

Key Player Battles

Sanderson believes the Arsenal Matildas duo of Steph Catley and Caitlin Foord going up against Jess Carter and Lucy Bronze will be a key battle to watch, especially considering Foord’s form, as she has found the net once and assisted twice.

“I think the key battle will come from Steph Catley and Caitlin Foord down the left-hand side against Jess Carter and Lucy Bronze. That is a battle I will look forward to because Foord is a fantastic player.” 

“At one point, it looked like her Arsenal career was over, but this season she’s been one of their best players.” 

“Steph Catley has a fantastic delivery, and she’ll be disappointed to miss her penalty, but she’s scored twice already in the tournament.’

Sanderson also sees Sam Kerr causing problems for England’s backline which might need adjusting so as to contain the Chelsea striker.

“Sam Kerr as well. She could be massive for the Matilda’s.” 

“England now start with a back three, and it’s worked, but it will be interesting because usually, the two centre-backs occupy two strikers. With Sam Kerr, you have to have two of them occupying those spaces.” 

“If Kerr doesn’t play, it will be Mary Fowler and Emily van Egmond occupying those spaces. Fowler and Raso have done a good job.” 

“Australia collectively have done well thanks to the Matildas. They’ve had a game plan and stuck together. They have individual qualities also and England won’t take this one lightly.” 

Alessia Russo and Lauren Hemp Will Be Important For England

For the Lionesses, Sanderson points to the qualities that Alessia Russo brings and how she has improved as the tournament has progressed. She also is interested in seeing Ella Toone in the creative role that she has played in the absence of the suspended Lauren James.

“It’ll be interesting with the team selection. I think Alessia Russo coming off the back of scoring the winning goal. She’s now got two in the tournament, and her confidence can continue to grow. Fantastic finish.”

“I like her a lot. Top person and a top player. Sometimes you need a bit of luck, but that goal in the last game wasn’t luck; it was due to her own ability.”

“It will be interesting to see if Sarina Wiegman goes with Ella Toone again in that ten position. She clearly believes in Ella Toone, but I think it’s difficult when you’ve gone from being an impact player to being a starter.”

Furthermore, Sanderson sees the Alessia Russo-Lauren Hemp pairing as a sign of Sarina Wiegman’s tactical nous and can see it being a game-changer.

“Sarina Wiegman has handled the situation really well. There’s a reason why she’s a serial winner because she sees things others don’t see.”

“I didn’t personally see this coming, with Lauren Hemp playing in a front two. And this is not a 4-4-2. But it’s almost like she’s done stuff that other people didn’t expect her to. No one really plays her in a two.”

“And what’s helping Alessia Russo is more bodies around her. In the first couple of games, she was quite isolated, feeding off scraps, snatching at the ball, not getting enough touches.”

“As a centre-forward, when you’re not getting many touches in the game, when you do get it, you think you have to do the most. Whereas now she’s got Lauren Hemp with her in those areas. When Lauren James was playing as well, she was able to interchange.”

“I think Russo just needs a little bit more productivity from Ella Toone underneath her to create some chances.”

“I think Lauren Hemp has had a fantastic tournament. The goal she scored, the touch was amazing.”

The Stadium Atmosphere Will Make It Tough For England

In Sarina Wiegman’s 37 games in charge of England, their only loss has come against Australia and Sanderson thinks that the lessons from that will still be fresh in the Lionesses’ minds.

“It’s interesting because they’re the only nation that’s beaten England under Sarina Wiegman, which is across 38 games.” 

“I was never concerned about Australia until they beat England. They have great individuals like Sam Kerr, who is one of the best players in the world. Hayley Raso, Steph Catley and Caitlin Foord.”

“England will have learned lessons from the loss.”

She also emphasises on the role that a packed Stadium Australia will play, likening it to how England got a boost from the home crowds at the Euros last year but at the same time, thinks the Lionesses can handle it because they are a resilient bunch.

“This game will be tough for England based upon the fact that it’s in an Australian stadium. The fans will be out there in their numbers, and we’ve seen at the Euro’s how impactful having home advantage can be.” 

“Sarina Wiegman has built a team of resilience like when Kiera Walsh got injured, and Lauren James got her red card.” 

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