Wednesday 1 July 2015 16:09, UK
Geraint Hughes gets the lowdown from the England camp as the hours tick down to Wednesday's Women's World Cup semi-final against Japan.
England describe themselves as the team in the semi-finals that is here to spoil the party.
Germany, the European champions and world's No 1 ranked side are gone - beaten by the USA in the first semi-final, leaving just them, England and opponents Japan, who are merely the reigning champions. England are in with the big girls.
Japan obviously believe England are the party poopers, and their head coach was not exactly complimentary about them.
Norio Sasaki believes his side are ‘far superior’ compared with England, something that left a wry smile on coach Mark Sampson's face when he was told about it.
Sampson warned Japan; “We are not just a one trick pony, we have plenty of weapons to use.”
He conceded that Japan probably would enjoy the lions share of possession, but that his Lionesses were clinical and efficient when presented with opportunities, adding: “It will be a game of contrasting styles, in tight spaces Japan do possess great technical ability, but my England team can chuck quite a lot at Japan. Which team can bring it’s style and force it on the other will win.”
After the group stages and the last 16 match against Norway, many people were confused and critical at times of England’s rotation policy, but now the tinkering has paid off.
No player has been sent home through injury, no player has needed to be called up. The players are relatively fresh. England’s women have never had a backroom staff with so much experience on hand in such numbers.
It is the most prepared England team ever and the medical staff have managed players who have been less than 100 per cent fit so that they can when needed play a part.
Goakeeper Karen Bardsley’s mystery eye allergic reaction has cleared up while striker Jodie Taylor, who underwent knee surgery two months ago, has been nurtured with an individual programme so she is in the best condition to play come match day.
And midfielder Jill Scott went to great pains to praise the unsung heroes of England's run. She said: “I know Mark (Sampson) would place a lot of praise on us as players, but I have to say the medical staff have been amazing.”
Great emphasis has been placed on the players taking responsibility for their well being though. They take ice baths without being asked, they eat well, sleep when told and rest when told. England’s management asked them all to effectively put their lives on hold for three months, but the prize was the World Cup.
Whether or not England can match the class of 1966 and reach a World Cup Final, no one can really be certain. What has become clear though is that England backed a plan months ago and it has paid off… so far.
