England 6-a-side at the World Cup
We went into the World Cup in Germany with a stronger and more dynamic side than Budapest. We thought we had a good chance to go very far in the competition.
We competed in group H and in that group we played USA, Qatar and Argentina.
Match 1
England vs USA
We started off very slow and sloppy and unfortunately conceded in the last minute of the first half. We went in at half time 1-0 down. The first half the USA side dominated most of the ball and played the better football. Being 1-0 down and going into the second half, we knew we would have to press at some point! We started to press the goalkeeper but he was amazing with his feet and always found a way out. As a team we became more open and unfortunately conceded 2 quick goals. At 3-0 down we managed to score a goal but it was unfortunately too late.
FT USA 3-1 England
Match 2
England vs Qatar
Qatar are a very new side to the 6-a-side World Cup and that unfortunately showed for them. With England coming off the back of a defeat to USA, it wasn’t the best time to play us. We had a point to prove and started the game fast with the goals flying in. The boys were ruthless and ended up coming into half time 10-0. The team talk was very easy for me, I didn’t want us to change the way we were playing. I decided to sub myself on and within 5 minutes I had scored 2 goals. I then subbed myself back off to let the rest of the bots continue the fun.
FT England 18-0 Qatar
Match 3 - friendly
England vs Türkiye
There was a gap in the fixture list so I arranged a friendly vs Türkiye. I had watched Türkiye throughout the tournament and I knew they would be a really good test and prepare us for our next game vs Argentina. We started off very well, we showed good shape out of possession and showed more confidence on the ball when we had it. Although we controlled most of the first half we unfortunately came in 1-0 down. The game plan didn’t change as we didn’t deserve to be losing and I knew chance would eventually come. We went out for the second half fired up and scored 2 very quick goals to put us 2-1 up. However, we made a big mistake at the back and conceded a late goal to make it 2-2. With 3 minutes left on the clock and nothing to lose we started to go for the winner. We scored with a minute to go!
FT England 3-2 Türkiye
Match 4 - last group game
England vs Argentina
We have been in Argentina's group for the last 3 World Cup tournaments. They always bring aggression and heart to the tournament and they are so passionate about representing their country. We haven’t lost against Argentina in a World Cup yet and I wasn’t willing to lose this one. We had to win to stand a chance of going through to the next round of the competition. The boys came out flying and started to take full control of the game. We played some lovely football and made a hard team to break down look very open. We scored 2 goals in the first half and went into the break 2-0 up. The instructions from myself at half time were not to change the way we were playing, I didn’t want us to sit back and be happy with a 2-0 win. We went out for the second half and continued to control the ball and ended up scoring 2 more goals. The game finished 4-0 and we were through to the knockout stages.
FT England 4-0 Argentina
The draw done, the result was in that we would play Egypt next, a very good side that I had been watching a lot throughout the tournament.
Match 5
England vs Egypt
We went in fully prepared and the boys should have known the game plan. Unfortunately we didn’t play to the game plan and we looked very nervous. Just like the USA game, we were very sloppy on the ball and unfortunately against good sides, they punish you. We went into the break 2-0 down and fully deserved to be losing. I wasn’t happy with my players and unfortunately some of them looked already beat. We went out and gave it a go second half but ended up conceding again to make it 3-0 to Egypt. We ended up making it 3-1 in the hope that we might get back into the game. Unfortunately, Egypt caught us on the break and scored. The game finished 4-1 to Egypt. We were out of the World Cup.
FT Egypt 4-1 England
Henry's summary of the World Cup 2023
Unfortunately we didn’t turn up against the good sides. In my opinion we are better than both the USA and Egypt teams but if we aren’t 100% against sides like them then we will get punished. The standard of the tournament was so high and we unfortunately didn’t have the squad to compete against the top teams.
What's next?
I need to recruit new players and be in a position were we can compete with the top teams. Unfortunately, we fell short technically and tactically and we just didn’t have the winners mindset in the big games.
