Marley hails England talent

By Paul Saffer

England approach the 2005 UEFA European Women's Under-19 Championship boosted by the growing popularity of the game back home following the recent senior tournament - and coach Mo Marley has revealed that her expectations for Hungary have grown as the season has gone on.

Impressive qualification
Having reached the 2003 semi-finals then failed to qualify last time around, Marley set off on this campaign with a young team for this level. However, in the first qualifying round they saw off Bulgaria, Romania and Wales by scoring eleven goals without reply, and in the next stage they bounced back from losing their second game 2-1 to Italy to defeat Norway by the two-goal margin they needed.

'Talented squad'
As her squad went through their final preparations at the England training base of Bisham Abbey, Marley said: "This is quite a young, inexperienced squad so our expectations are not as high as in 2003. If you had asked me 12 months ago, we would have said we'd do magnificently to qualify. But this is a talented squad, though only one player has played in the finals before."

Scheuber call-up
That player is 2003 veteran Eniola Aluko, who like Karen Carney links up with this squad having just played at UEFA WOMEN'S EURO 2005™. However, Marley has had to make a late change to her party of 18, as with midfielder Rachel Williams still not fully recovered from a car accident at their training camp in Tunisia, Heather Scheuber has been drafted in.

Goal achieved
For Marley, though, one goal has already been reached. "First and foremost we're pleased to be there," she said. "The reason why it's important for us to qualify for the finals is to play against the best players on a regular basis. Now we've achieved our short-term goal, so it's about expressing yourself and playing against these best players."

Global ambition
A chance to emulate their appearance at the first FIFA U-19 World Championship in 2002 is also an ambition. "We've looked at the stats and the players who have moved on are the ones that have been to European U19 and world finals."

'Hard group'
England start their campaign on Wednesday against Scotland, before meeting Russia and their 2003 nemesis, France. Marley said: "It's a hard group but the two groups are balanced. You have to be pleased to miss Germany. Scotland will be difficult in their own right as they are local. Every game we've played with them we've found they're difficult but we've been the better footballing team.

Russian quality
"Russia were World Cup quarter-finalists, we don't know too much about them but they must have some quality. France beat us in 2003 and went on to win the competition, and they have big pedigree. You cannot come to the finals and expect an easy ride."

Everton quartet
Marley combines her national-team role with managing formidable English club Everton LFC. The strength of their set-up is shown by the fact they supply four players to the squad - more than any other side - and Marley uses the selection of Amy Kane as an example of the pleasure it brings her to be able to call on Evertonians.

One team
"It is rewarding for me - Amy will tell you it has taken three years to get there. Week to week I can reinforce the quality she needs to have as an international footballer. And [it is] even more pleasing when it is your own club player, but once we're here we're a team. Club football doesn't get a mention."

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