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Women's Football

Yankey meets the yanks

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Perfecseun previews the quarter-final encounter between England and the USA at the Women's World Cup

Saturday afternoon´s match is the one to watch as England bid to reach the dizzy heights of a semi-final appearance. This is the first encounter between both teams at a FIFA organised tournament and second meeting on Chinese soil. The last time they met in China was in a four nations tournament a few years back and the result was a 1-1 draw.

The USA have not impressed at all in this World Cup. Korea DPR ran them into the ground and got a draw, the Swedes tormented them with pace in the opening 20 mins but could not maintain it but still gave the Americans a good scare and the Nigerians were unlucky to score an own goal in the first 40 seconds but kept that scoreline to the end and had numerous chances to equalize.

In short, the USA are not as much of a threat as they once were. Towards the end of the Nigeria game, they employed delay and diving tactics and made no attempt to play from 80 mins on. In the same game, Nigeria had far more possesion at any time during the match than the Americans, just like the Koreans did. America is a team struggling to find its old identity and physical strength to compete in China.

Having made their own piece of history by recording one of England´s largest wins at a FIFA competition in defeating Argentina 6-1, the England side will be hoping for a good performance against a lacklustre USA. Every team knows the USA is there for the taking and after holding Germany to a goalless draw, the Americans won't scare Faye White and co. England have done extremely well since that lapse against Japan and they know this is the best opportunity to progress to the semis for the first time.

USA have history and statistics on their side. Out of the previous 9 encounters with England, the Americans have won 6, drawn 2 and lost twice. They have only been defeated 2 times at the FIFA World Cup and on both ocassions by an European side: in 1995 by Norway and in 2003 by Germany.

England have a good chance of increasing the tally to 3. This particular USA side lacks the physical endurance to last 70 mins, let alone 90 mins and there are a few 30 something players in their squad at this finals lacking World Cup experience.

Suggested Bet: Lay USA to win the match and small stakes, back under 2.5 goals