Mark Sampson changed his starting line up today, after the rather dour draw against Belgium last week. Karen Carney and Eni Aluko both started in Zenica along with Gemma Davison while Demi Stokes, Katie Chapman and Toni Duggan took their places on the bench.
Despite having the majority of the possession England struggled to make a breakthrough; the Bosnia and Herzegovina goal-keeper, Almina Hodzi, was having an amazing game, and really frustrating both England players [and supporters] with her abilities. It wasn’t until the 86 minute that England scored; Karen Carney rattled the crossbar and then pounced on the rebound to give England that vital lead and put them top of their group.
Only winners of each of the 8 groups will automatically qualify for the finals in the Netherlands next year together with the six best runners up. England next play Serbia in June.
Teams:
Bosnia & Herzegovina: 1 Almina Hodzic, 3 Antonela Radljic, 4 Amira Spahic (C), 5 Melisa Hasanbegovic, 6 Marija Aleksic, 7 Andela Seslija, 8 Aida Hadzic, 9 Melina Nikolic, 10 Alisa Spahic, 11 Lidija Kulis, 13 Zerina Piskic.
Substitutes: 14 Amna Lihovic for Kulis 84, 17 Alma Hadzic for Seslija 90+4.
Substitutes not used: 2 Alma Jasarevic, 12 Tamara Skoric, 15 Tatjana Stanic, 18 Maksida Islamovic, 19 Valentina Sakotic.
Bookings: Hadzic 52
Head coach: Samira Huren
England: 1 Karen Bardsley (Manchester City), 2 Alex Scott (Arsenal), 5 Steph Houghton (capt; Manchester City), 6 Casey Stoney (Arsenal), 3 Alex Greenwood (Liverpool); 7 Gemma Davison (Chelsea), 8 Fara Williams (Arsenal), 4 Jordan Nobbs (Arsenal), 11 Karen Carney (Chelsea), 10 Jill Scott (Manchester City), 9 Eniola Aluko (Chelsea).
Substitutes: 12 Lucy Bronze (Manchester City) for Stoney 67, 17 Fran Kirby (Chelsea) for Williams 67, 18 Toni Duggan (Manchester City) for A Scott 85.
Substitutes not used: 13 Carly Telford (Notts County), 14 Gilly Flaherty (Chelsea), 15 Laura Bassett (Notts County), 16 Demi Stokes (Manchester City).
Goal: Carney 86
Head coach: Mark Sampson
Referee: Simona Ghisletta (SUI)
You can see more about the England women’s team here.
