Lionesses deliver statement victory against Lithuania to go top of UEFA Women’s Futsal Euro Group B
Goals from Kerry Walklett, Kirstie Kural & a record-breaking strike from Sophie Harvey secured a dominant 4-0 win against the hosts on Thursday in Birstonas.
The Lionesses delivered an outstanding performance against hosts Lithuania in Birstonas on Thursday, emerging 4-0 winners thanks to goals from Kerry Walklett, Kirstie Kural (2) and 17-year-old Sophie Harvey.
The victory places us top of UEFA Women’s Futsal Euro Qualification Group B with 4 points, ahead of Bosnia & Herzegovina on goal difference, heading into Saturday’s final fixture against Serbia at 12pm UK time. The game will be streamed live on Futbolas TV.
After a superb Kural free-kick earned a 1-1 draw with Bosnia in our Group B opener on Wednesday, this was a crucial 3 points towards qualification for the Elite Round.
Walklett opened the scoring in the 16th minute, tapping home a parried effort from Kural on the line for her first Lionesses goal.
Kural then scored a second-half brace, her fifth and sixth international goals, to put us into a commanding 3-0 lead. The first, a delightful combination with Lailah Booth on the left wing before effortlessly stroking the ball into the far corner. The second, five minutes later, an emphatic penalty following a foul on Jade Grove.
It puts Kural onto three goals in her opening two matches of the tournament, joint-fourth in the Main Round the goalscoring charts.
Then, with 20 seconds on the clock, Harvey delivered a record-breaking moment in only her second England game. She swept the ball through the keepers legs from a tight angle on the left touchline to make it 4-0 and score her first international goal.
At just 17 years, 10 months and 7 days old, Harvey becomes the youngest goalscorer in Lionesses history:
“It’s an incredible feeling. I am so proud to become the youngest Lionesses goalscorer. We are all looking forward to Serbia and ready to give everything to qualify…”
Lionesses Captain Emma Tune:
“Lithuania was another tough test for us, they gave us a different challenge to Bosnia and we had to adapt and work hard to break them down.
I am really proud of the girls and it was a great moment to see Sophie get her first goal in an England shirt at 17.
We are delighted with the win and excited for the final game against Serbia. We have put ourselves in a good position and ready to give everything to qualify for the Elite round!”
QUALIFICATION PARAMETERS:
Of the 3 UEFA Women’s Futsal Euro Main Round groups taking place this week, each of the 3 group winners along with the 2 best runners-up will qualify for October’s Elite Round.
A win against Serbia would place the Lionesses on 7 points, qualifying as group winners, as long as Bosnia do not overcome the 3-goal deficit with victory against Lithuania (15:00 UK GMT). Should that happen, England would finish with 7 points as group runners-up, with a chance of qualifying as one of 2 best second-placed teams.
A draw could potentially still be enough to secure a first-placed Group B finish with 5 points, should Bosnia lose to/draw with Lithuania. Should Bosnia beat Lithuania and England draw with Serbia, England would exit as runners-up on 5 points.
A loss to Serbia would also prevent qualification, as the runners-up of both Groups A and C will finish with at least 6 points after three games.
You can view the full group standings of each group, along with stats, fixtures and format information on the UEFA Futsal website.
WATCH THE LIONESSES MAKE HISTORY AT HOME THIS APRIL
And you can watch the Lionesses for the first-time ever on home soil in just over two weeks time, as they take on Slovakia in two landmark international friendlies on the 9th and 10th April at Loughborough University as part of our historic International Futsal Week!!
