Page 15 - Women's Soccer Scene Issue No.4 2022-23

England’s final matches of 2023 will see them meet fellow FIFA Women’s World Cup finalists
Japan and Norway in Murcia, Spain this November.
The Lionesses are to spend the final international camp of the year at the Pinatar Arena
football centre as they look to close out a positive year on a high. It all began with victory in the
inaugural Arnold Clark Cup in February, followed by the historic UEFA Women’s EURO success in
July and will next see the United States and Czech Republic travel to England for matches in October.
The first of the November fixtures in Spain will be Japan on Friday 11th November (KO TBC),
followed by a meeting with Norway, who Sarina Wiegman’s squad met during the EURO group
stage, on Tuesday 15th November (KO TBC).
England last faced Japan in the 2020 edition of the SheBelieves Cup in the United States with
England coming out on top with a 1-0 victory in New Jersey. Norway were drawn in Group A
alongside England at this summer’s EURO with an historic 8-0 victory in Brighton securing the
Lionesses progression to the quarter finals. The fixture will see the return of Hege Riise who took
charge of England on an interim basis in 2021 before leading Team GB to the last eight of the Tokyo
Olympics.
England head coach Sarina Wiegman said: “I am really pleased we can continue to test
ourselves against strong opposition, especially as we are fully focused on our preparation for the
World Cup.
“Japan are one of the best teams in Asia and offer a different style of play to what we are used
to. Norway had a difficult summer, however they qualified directly for the World Cup and I am
confident they will bounce back. They have always proven to be a strong opponent, and the staff
and players will look forward to welcoming Hege again too. With both teams wanting to make a
good impression as they build towards a major tournament, it will be a great opportunity to see
where we stand.
“Furthermore, I hope a change of scenery and good climate for that time of year can contribute
to keeping the players fresh after what has been an exciting and at the same time intense year for
all.”
Both opponents have qualified for next summer’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand,
with the final tournament draw to be held on Sunday 22nd October, hosted in Auckland.

Tel: (0117) 9694544 Julian Barker
E-Mail: news@womenssoccerscene.co.uk Will Cheshire
Website: Colin Poultney (CollargeImages.co.uk)
www.WomensSoccerScene.co.uk GrifftersWorld Photography
Twitter:
@wssmagnews Winners of the 2006
FA National Media Award
Editors:
Neil Brown Views expressed in articles in this magazine
Mark Brown are those of the subject and not necessarily
those of Women’s Soccer Scene and its staff.
Contributors:
James Prickett (www.jamesprickett.co.uk) Issue no. 843
Patrick Higgins
Front cover photo: Niamh Martin of Woking Ladies plays the ball under pressure from
Seaford Town’s Macey Gipson during their Vitality Women’s FA Cup tie (www.jamesprickett.co.uk).
news@womenssoccerscene.co.uk