‘We expect a competitive match’ – England expect to be tested by Austria says Wiegman | OneFootball

England head coach Sarina Wiegman says that she expects her side to be tested by Austria at The Stadium of Light on Saturday.

The Lionesses have breezed their way through their FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 qualifying campaign so far, winning four games out of four, scoring 32 goals and conceding none in the process.

England face Austria in Sunderland this weekend and given the fact that Irene Fuhrmann’s side are the second seeded team in the group, Lionesses boss Wiegman is expecting to see her side tested.

“We do expect a tougher time than in any of the other games,” Wiegman said in her pre-match press conference. “They had a tough time against Northern Ireland but they are really organised, they have good players, lots of them play in Germany.

“We expect a good competitive match, although I do think that we will have more possession than them and that is also what I hope.”

Several members of the England squad have strong links with Sunderland and the surrounding area and Wiegman said that those players are really excited to play in-front of a great crowd.

She said “We have had good support at all of our home games so far and I expect that here too. What I have heard is that fans in the north may be even louder than those in the south but I am just going to experience it.

“I know that the players that come from here are really excited and that makes us all excited.”

The FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 qualifier between England and Austria at The Stadium of Light kicks-off at 12.30pm on Saturday afternoon. Tickets for the match can be purchased by clicking here.