30 October 2023 , 19:37
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Sarina Wiegman has urged her England team to be “better in the final third” ahead of a crucial clash with Belgium.
The Lionesses take on the Red Flames away from home in the second part of a UEFA Nations League double header, after Lauren Hemp's goal secured a 1-0 win on Friday. But their performance in that victory was lacklustre at times, particularly going forward.
England were often restricted to long range efforts after Hemp's early goal, while goalkeeper Mary Earps had to make some superb saves to preserve a clean sheet. The three points did ensure the European Champions kept pace with Netherlands at the top of group A1.
But with the Dutch still to come to Wembley in December, another win over Belgium in Leuven is essential if England want to remain on course for the tournament finals next year. And ahead of the rematch Wiegman is looking for them to sharpen up in attack.
"I was happy with how we played Friday," said Wiegman. "We could have made it a little bit easier for ourselves, but how we were on the pitch, how we wanted to play both out of possession and in possession, we did really well.
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"What we want to do in possession is be a little better in the final third. We create chances but the final pass, the final position and the final execution, we want to do better.
"What I really liked on Friday, there was so much energy in the team. You saw real intention. If we lost the ball, we really wanted to win it back. We had only one stage in the game when we dropped a little bit, then picked it up again. So I want to see the same energy, intention of the whole team and the togetherness."
Midfielder Georgia Stanway, who is nominated for Monday's Ballon d'Or feminin award, stood by recent performances and felt the Lionesses have responded well to their World Cup final heartache. Since losing to Spain, England have beaten Scotland and Belgium at home, but came unstuck against the Dutch last month.
"The Belgium game we played the other day was a real show of who we are," said Stanway. "We dominated possession and created a lot. But we didn't get it over the line as many times as we wanted to.
"After losing a (World Cup) final, it's sometimes not motivating to turn up to training every day, but I think we hit the ground running. Everybody has been firing in training.
"We have Fran Kirby back, which is also a real highlight. I love playing with her, so it's important to have numbers all over the pitch."
England needed a goal from Lauren Hemp to earn a narrow win over Belgium last time outEngland need to top Group A1 to keep their hopes alive of reaching the tournament finals and qualifying for the Olympic Games. Manager Wiegman is expecting Belgium to provide a tougher test on their own turf than they did in Leicester on Friday.
The Red Flames didn't qualify for the World Cup, but beat Netherlands on the opening night of the Nations League in Leuven. And the city's Den Dreef stadium will also host the England tie, with around 7,000 fans expected.
"“We know a bit about how they (Belgium) play,” added Wiegman. “Of course it will be a totally different atmosphere and environment. But we know that and we’re very, very motivated.”