Battle of Block 19

It was here, it had arrived,  the Battle of Block 19 in the quarter-final where we faced local rivals Ireland. As you can imagine the feeling in the camp was buzzing and we knew that if we could go out and do our job a place in the semi-final awaited us.

With some of the teamies pre-match

The usual match routine commenced with breakfast, samples, and a team meeting where the squad was announced. Unfortunately I was not selected to be in the starting 11 but was ready, as I had been in previous games, to play my part when called upon. We all want to play and we all want to be on the pitch and I am no different... I would do anything to be in the starting line-up but I will continue to work hard and eagerly wait until my time comes. I can only prepare in anticipation that I may be called upon. The usual routine of one game on, one game off had become part of life in Kazan and the game day is always the best day. Today we had moved from the stadium where we had competed for our three group games, to Trudovye Rezervy Stadium, which thankfully had during our time in Kazan, been our training pitch. Slightly smaller than the previous stadium but a better 4G surface, it was the perfect venue for a hotly awaited quarter-final day.

The girls ready to go into battle

Arriving at the venue we were surprisingly early which allowed time to chill and relax out on the pitch. This was a nice rarity as it meant we could all focus and go through our pre-match routine which varies for each of us. Soon kick off time arrived and it was game on and it’s fair to say we started in style. In our previous games our start hasn’t been the greatest and we knew today it was fundamental that we went all guns blazing from the start to ensure we gave ourselves the best possible chance of emerging at the end victorious.

The best start we could have asked for

Less than one minute into the game and the first goal was scored. A ball over the top beat the offside trap and Courtney was through on goal, the Irish keeper hesitated and a cheeky lob beat her and hit the back of the net. 1-0 to us, we couldn’t have wished for a better start. Could this continue? We hoped so. Ireland came back out and threatened us, hitting the crossbar in the process and creating a few goal scoring opportunities. Crucially our second goal arrived shortly after courtesy of a penalty, with Michelle setting up and comfortable slotting the ball home after an Irish player was deemed to have handled the ball in the area. The goal scoring prowess of our team continued with Fran Kirby bagging a third goal before the half time whistle blew.

We knew the start of our second half needed to be a continuation of the end of the first half as the Irish had nothing to lose and would throw everything at us. But I don’t think any of us could have wished for what followed next. In the space of 7 minutes we had a goal blitz and managed to net 3 more goals, with Courtney completing her hat-trick and in style might I add, plus Dan Carter also getting onto the scoresheet with her first of the tournament. 6-0 to GBR and there was still over half-hour of the game left.

Today's starting 11

But it didn’t finish there; we continued to dominate the game enjoying long spells of possession and the addition of another goal courtesy of Fran allowed the management to make some subs enabling some players a chance to rest up. As the game neared the 90 minute mark the team continued to move the ball around well creating chances and Dan Carter popped up bagging her second to complete the 8-0 victory. Tournament football is demanding and today was an opportunity to rest some legs and allow others a run out and I am thankful I was one of the subs selected to play my part on the pitch in the latter stages of the game. Although only on the pitch for 15 minutes I was glad that I could contribute to the team’s performance by doing what I love and being able to walk off the pitch at the end with an 8-0 victory and a place booked in the semi-final knowing I had played my part was one of the best feelings ever.

Arriving back the village the team were in high spirits and so they should be given the positive and convincing performance delivered today. An evening to relax followed and a chance to revel in our victory was welcomed. But this game only takes us one step closer in our quest for gold; two games of football stand between us and the end and we are not taking any of them lightly. Nor are we getting too far ahead of ourselves but remembering that a job needs to be done on Saturday in the semi-final to have any chance of having a shot at gold. Tonight we also found out that Brazil, our opponents from the group stage who qualified as best 3^rd place beat Chinese Taipei and are now our opposition in Saturday’s semi-final. A familiar team whom we have already beaten in the competition but come Saturday that will mean nothing as it will be what happens there and then on the pitch.

 We are now getting ever closer to fulfilling our ultimate goal of winning the tournament and after today’s victory we know that if we perform and do the job in the best way we know how that goal can be reached. It is in our hands and we will not be letting go of this opportunity lightly. Bring on the next game! 

The Battle of Block 19 just before it commenced!