England manager Sarina Wiegman believed Alanna Kennedy’s red card was ‘disappointing’ as her side claimed a routine win over the Matildas.
Aggie Beever-Jones, Lucy Bronze and substitute Georgia Stanway all found the net after Kennedy was sent off for a last-player foul on Alessia Russo in the European Champions’ 3-0 victory over the Matildas in Derby.
“Of course, I’m happy with the result,” head coach Sarina Wiegman reflected. “I think it is a very good score. I think we started really well, we dominated the game and played in their half. We tried to put them under pressure and keep possession, but also out of possession when we lost the ball. I think that’s exactly what we did.
“The game didn’t really change, but they went down to 10, which just changed a couple of things.
“That was disappointing and those are the rules,” Wiegman said of Kennedy’s red card. “In a qualifier I don’t care! But in a friendly you want to play 11 v 11 as that provides the most challenges.
“We tried to adapt straight away, they dropped deeper so the spaces became smaller and very tight. We hoped to do other things at the end of the game but unfortunately we had some injuries.”
Michelle Agyemang injury ‘not very positive’ says Sarina Wiegman
The major injury worry for the Lionesses came with 10 minutes to go when Michelle Agyemang was stretchered off in significant distress due to a knee issue. “”It was an awful moment, doesn’t look good,” Wiegman updated.
“Of course we don’t know yet because she still has to be assessed. I’m not very positive about what I’ve seen.”
