Fara Staying Positive

Midfielder still confident of progress despite drawing opener.

Everton Ladies midfielder Fara Williams insists England are capable of winning their two remaining group games after stumbling in their World Cup opener against Mexico.

Williams got Hope Powell’s side off to the perfect start with a superb header midway through the first half in Wolfsburg yesterday, but a long-range strike from Monica Ocampa levelled matters almost immediately and England couldn’t raise their game in the second half.

That leaves them needing to beat New Zealand in their next game on Friday before finishing their qualifying section against group favourites Japan next week.

And Williams said: “We’re upbeat. One point is one point and we’ve got two more games. If we can take three points in the next game and three points from the last game then we’re still in it.

“The aim was to go and get three points (against Mexico),” she added. “We started the game well and concentrated on getting the ball down and (playing) quickly. We kept possession really well and scored a goal to settle our nerves. We played well enough in the first half to score more goals than we did.

“Once they scored we tried to force things, and in the second half we took the same approach and it didn’t work out for us.

“We didn’t do the job in the first half when we were on top and (if you don’t do that) against top teams in a World Cup then it’s going to be difficult.”