Arsenal and England midfielder Jordan Nobbs She will be a 90 Minutes columnist and BBC Sports pundit at the Women’s World Cup in France this summer, as Phil Neville’s Lionesses look to claim their first World Cup victory.
Obviously two wins in our first two games is what we were all hoping for.
The first match in the World Cup, or any other major tournament, will not be the one in which you play your absolute best.
But the 2-1 win over Scotland was fantastic given the pre-match hype, the competitive nature of the game and the pressure we were under. The girls were solid throughout the match and I think we were deserved winners, despite conceding a goal in the second half.
I was in the next game against Argentina and we played really well. You can never underestimate a team that builds two sets of four and sits in them, so you have to maintain your concentration levels at all times.
If anything, it is difficult to play against a team that is not coming to you because you lose the opportunity to counterattack and extend the game.
So to get the win was great for the team, and Phil took the opportunity to turn the team around in the process – and hopefully
Before the match, training was focused on how to break through Argentina, something we are used to from qualifying matches in the past.
Yes, the margin of victory could have been greater if we had taken some chances and not missed a penalty – but that’s football. We have learned well how to keep these things in our minds, and it showed how determined we are to go forward and get the three points.
Whenever you win, it’s always a great feeling. This group of players have worked hard over the last few years to get where we are now, and we deserve to enjoy any success we have with our traveling fans.
They were fantastic, and I know Phil and the girls would have been a huge support.
Everyone knows that Japan will pose a big threat in the final group match, as they have technically gifted players. It is important to remember, however, that they have 17 players in their squad who have never before competed in a World Cup finals, and that developing the team ahead of next year’s domestic Olympics is a priority.
It’s a great experience as a professional footballer and you cherish those kind of moments, because you know they don’t happen very often.
That doesn’t mean they’re looking too far ahead, but it does suggest we’re in a good position going into the game. It will be tough, as both teams will want to finish top of the group, but we recently showed in the SheBelieves Cup that we can beat them – so confidence will be high.
Given the competition, I’ve been impressed with France so far. They are playing on an amazing platform this summer, with over 54,000 fans watching against South Korea, and they were an eye-opener to watch.
The USA are clearly a threat, but perhaps we should reserve judgment until we see them face a top team. Sweden will provide this test in their final group match, but they look very strong and intelligent at the moment.
On a personal level, I have a different role to play this summer – and although I’m working hard to get back, I’m really enjoying my experience watching Girls with the BBC. I’ve said before that the opportunity to work in media has been a blessing in disguise, allowing me to be more than just an injured player in the crowd.
I loved every minute I spent covering Argentina alongside Alex (Scott), Gabi (Logan) and Dion (Dublin), who I will be working with over the next few matches, and they are incredibly talented people.
Even though I was in the stands, I still enjoyed a special moment with Jodi during the goal celebrations. She caught my attention when she celebrated in the corner, and her reaction, as well as mine, shows how united we are as a team, even though I’m not one of the 23 players.
Moments like this make me realize how much I love and support this team, and help motivate me in my recovery from injury. Of course I want to be there on the field, but I can’t keep thinking about the past. I’m getting stronger and in a much better place with training, so it’s important that I focus on all the positive elements – both personally and as a team.
We all aspire to be role models for the next generation, and although I can’t do that through playing, I can portray women’s football in a positive light, albeit in a different way.
The support we receive overall is incredible. I can only describe when you’re at a major tournament it’s like you’re in a bubble – a crazy, crazy world where you feel like a celebrity. Everywhere you go, you see fans wearing England shirts to support the team, which is incredibly uplifting.
It’s a great experience as a professional footballer and you cherish those kind of moments, because you know they don’t happen very often.
We knew the tournament would be well supported and obviously having a record number of TV appearances in the opening match was a great start. We knew our game could take a big break this summer, which of course brings pressure – but the girls I know are making it work.
Having said that, it’s incredible to think that over 11.5 million people watched our first two group stage matches this summer!
Girls from @ccyfc Lions waiting for formation @Lionesses To arrive yesterday
Especially enjoy when you hear them say “They’re waving at us!!” 😍
Incredibly cute but also important – seeing the heroes they can one day become! #FIFAWWC pic.twitter.com/X1ip7R8G0q
– Ben Haines (@benhaness) June 15, 2019
There is, of course, a bigger picture here. We all aspire to be role models for the next generation, and although I can’t do that through playing, I can portray women’s football in a positive light, albeit in a different way.
Hopefully this will inspire those who haven’t been fortunate enough to play the game at this level to enjoy it in other ways – and perhaps even pursue a career covering the game somewhere in the future.
Source: 90 Minutes