England 3 Portugal 0

There was good news for England fans yesterday, as Philadelphia Charge star Kelly Smith inspired her national team to a 3-0 win against Portugal on Sunday evening at Portsmouth Football Club.

The England team started nervously giving Portugal ,who were hoping for a point or better to keep them in second place in UEFA Group 4, just a hint of a chance to take the lead. In the 20th minute Smith was fouled close to the goal-line and just outside the penalty area on the left. Fara Williams who was making her first start after two appearances as a substitute saw an opportunity to fool everyone and struck a powerful right foot shot towards the roof of the net. It was arguably already over the line when new Portugese keeper Luisa, who is not that tall, could only punch the ball upwards and into the goal.

The rest of the game the home team really dominated, showing how confidence can grow when you are in front.

The months of rest for Kelly Smith clearly helped her and the dribbling skill that we have admired for years. Helped also by being paid for doing something she enjoys the most, something that most players can only dreams of, she showed well in the 58th minute beating at least 2 defenders and then calmly slotting the ball passed Luisa into the right corner to make it 2-0.

Less than a couple of minutes later with England in full control, a cross from the left could only be flicked by the glove of the diving keeper. Smith was lurking behind and said thank you, as she tapped it home for an important 3-0 victory.

There was further joy for the English FA, the local county and the club as the attendance of 8821 is the largest recorded for a women’s international in England since the FA took over in 1993, and history books may show it to be the highest ever on home soil.

England now move back into second place in the group, which must be held to achieve a play-off place, assuming Germany continue to win their remaining 3 matches. England go to Holland in a months time before the crucial match at home against Germany in May. The dream would be that Germany slip-up in their next matches, or reach 15 points from 5 games, to reach China 2003, and England win the last match to secure second place.

The play-offs will consist of four matches and it is too early to know who will contest them, although in the past there have been very few major upsets.