Chioma Ubogagu Scores Debut Goal in 3-0 England Win
November 9, 2018 - National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
Orlando Pride News Release
Chioma Ubogagu and Georgia Stanway both scored on their debut to help England defeat Austria 3-0 in Vienna.
Ubogagu broke the deadlock in the first half, capitalizing on a mistake by Carina Wenninger.
Stanway doubled the lead on 72 minutes and substitute Rachel Daly, on for Ubogagu, completed the scoring with an impudent finish from close range.
This was the Lionesses' third match since they completed their World Cup qualifying campaign in September and the comfortable victory extended their unbeaten run to eight matches.
With captain Steph Houghton rested just one game shy of her 100th appearance, Toni Duggan was handed the captain's armband, while there was a recall for England legend Karen Carney.
But this match was all about the new girls.
Head coach Phil Neville handed debuts to four players; Ubogagu, Stanway, Ellie Roebuck and Chloe Kelly, who was a late addition to the squad.
Meanwhile, in contrast to Carney's 135 caps, the back five who started the game had just 22 caps between them. But each of them looked assured in spite of their relative lack of senior team experience.
The first debutant to make an impact was Ubogagu, who marked her special day by opening the scoring on 26 minutes.
Carney, making her first England appearance since March last year, tried to find Duggan inside the box. Wenninger attempted to clear but trod on the ball, allowing Duggan to find Ubogagu, who calmly slotted home from six yards out.
Duggan had two decent chances in the first half. One flew just beyond the angle while the other was well saved by Austria keeper Manuela Zinsberger.
Stanway, who scored six goals at the FIFA U20 Women's World Cup in the summer, came close with a low, drilled effort which zipped narrowly wide of the near post before hitting a well-controlled volley into Zinsberger's arms.
It was a case of third time lucky for the Manchester City hotshot when she finished an England counter-attack by smashing Nikita Parris's pass into the roof of the net from 12 yards.
Parris, who came on for Melissa Lawley, hit the post with a header as the visitors threatened to run away with it.
There was still time for Neville to introduce two more debutants as Roebuck replaced Mary Earps in goal while Kelly took Duggan's place.
The Everton forward came close to getting her own debut goal only to be denied by Zinsberger and then by Nina Burger straight after.
Stanway smashed the rebound goalwards and Daly diverted the ball on target with a cheeky flick which hit a defender on the line before trickling into the back of the net.
The Lionesses are back in action on Sunday when they entertain Sweden at a sold-out New York Stadium in Rotherham.
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National Women's Soccer League Stories from November 9, 2018
- Chioma Ubogagu Relishes Goal in England Debut - Orlando Pride
- Chioma Ubogagu Scores Debut Goal in 3-0 England Win - Orlando Pride
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