England women aim to regain pride
The England women's team aim to restore some national pride by qualifying for the 2009 European Championship finals.
Their male counterparts missed out on qualifying for Euro 2008 after losing to Croatia 3-2 at Wembley on Wednesday.
England play Spain at Shrewsbury on Sunday and a win would maintain their 100% Group One record and take them two points clear at the top of the table.
"We don't want to be relying on someone else to get us there," said England national coach Hope Powell.
Powell's team are currently a point behind group leaders the Czech Republic but have a game in hand.
"We have to make sure we keep it in our own hands," added Powell.
"Sunday's game is an opportunity to get one step closer to qualification, but I don't envisage for one minute that it's going to be easy.
"Spain are a decent side - they came from behind to draw with the Czech Republic last month and they'll certainly be out to give us a hard time.
"We are expected to qualify, and rightly so, but we have to make sure we are up for it on Sunday and then in every other qualifier."
Powell will be forced into at least one change from last month's 4-0 win against Belarus as Arsenal midfielder Katie Chapman has withdrawn from the squad through injury.
Powell has insisted the squad's unhappiness about the level of financial support from the FA during the recent World Cup finals would not be up for discussion.
They were paid just £40 a day for the five weeks at the World Cup in China.
"I do support a lot of what they're saying," said Powell, "but the situation has got to be managed, and it's not going to be talked about until after this game."
The 2009 finals are to be staged in Finland.
England squad: Brown (Everton), Chamberlain (Chelsea), Telford (Leeds United), A. Scott (Arsenal), Unitt (Everton), Asante (Arsenal), Phillip (Arsenal), White (Arsenal), Stoney (Chelsea), Bass (Birmingham City), Johnson (Everton), Williams (Everton), J. Scott (Everton), Yankey (Arsenal), Carney (Arsenal), S. Smith (Leeds United), K. Smith (Arsenal), Aluko (Chelsea), Sanderson (Arsenal), Handley (Everton).
Carney secures victory over Spain
England head into 2008 as Group One leaders in their Euro 2009 qualifying campaign after a Karen Carney goal gave them a hard-fought win over Spain.
In front of 8,753, the biggest crowd yet at Shrewsbury's New Meadow, it kept up Hope Powell's team's 100% record.
Carney lashed in the winner from a narrow angle, though Spain nearly levelled when they hit the woodwork.
Powell admitted: "It was hard work. We weren't at our best but credit to Spain because they made it difficult for us."
She added: "There was a bit of fatigue among our players after a long, tough year, but I can't fault their endeavour and work rate."
Powell's team started brightly enough but then faded before producing a better performance in the second half.
They were denied an early goal when keeper Ainhoa Tirapu pulled off an excellent diving save from midfielder Jill Scott's ninth-minute header.
Eight minutes later Tirapu did well to keep out left winger Rachel Yankey's well-struck long-range drive.
Spain were posing little threat and from their only shot of the first half, a 35th-minute 25-yard effort by left-winger Laura del Rio, keeper Rachel Brown made an easy save.
England's threat also diminished towards half-time, though four minutes before the break striker Eni Aluko sent a 20-yard shot just wide.
An improved second-half display saw midfielder Fara Williams and striker Kelly Smith go close before Carney hit the only goal with a narrow-angled shot in the 65th minute.
England's one stroke of luck arrived eight minutes later, when del Rio's 15-yard strike cannoned off the crossbar.
The home side then played out the closing stages to clinch a victory that took them two points clear of the Czech Republic at the top of Qualifying Group One.
Powell said: "We were more vibrant and tenacious in the second half, and although Spain hit the bar I felt we deserved to win the match."
Next up for England in their qualifying cmpaign is a visit to Northern Ireland, who they have already beaten 4-0 at home, in March.
And Powell said: "I'm glad the year's over and we can re-charge our batteries, re-establish our fitness levels and come back rejuvenated in the new year."
England: Brown (Everton); A. Scott (Arsenal), White (Arsenal), Asante (Arsenal), Stoney (Chelsea); J. Scott (Everton), Williams (Everton); K. Smith (Arsenal); Carney (Arsenal), Aluko (Chelsea) (sub Sanderson (Arsenal) 54), Yankey (Arsenal).
Subs not used: Phillip (Arsenal), Chamberlain (Chelsea), Unitt (Everton), S. Smith (Leeds United), Johnson (Everton), Handley (Everton).
Spain: Tirapu; Iturregi (Garcia 70), Nicolau, Gimber, Torrejon; Fernandez (Jose Perez 63), Gurrutxaga (Paz Azagra 75), Vilanova, Vazquez, Del Rio; Aybar.
Subs not used: Torras, Martin, Paz Vilas, Sanchez.
Referee: Ms C. Brohet (Belgium).
