'Lionnesses must remember the pain of defeat'

The England Ladies needed only one point against Team USA to win on goal difference in the SheBelieves Cup 2018. An expensive own-goal error by keeper Karen Bardsley meant that the USA triumphed in a 1-0 victory. The match marked the second win for the USA in only three years. 

Following a 4-1 victory over France and a 2-2 draw against Germany, the England team were stood in good stead heading into the final. Ellen White, the Birmingham City Ladies forward, was in reach of equalising but her header bounced off the post. 

Head coach Neville instructed his team to remain on the pitch whilst the USA received the trophy. "Sometimes you've got to see the opposition lift a trophy because it sticks with you, and the next time we come to SheBelieves or another competition, you hope they remember this pain," he told the 'BBC'.

Despite a ''nervous start'' that ''was partly to blame for his side's defeat against a team ranked number one in the world'', Neville is confident in the his team's ability to draw from this experience for future clashes, "We want to close the gap in 12 months' time. We're improving step by step but we have to show more self-belief and character in terms of getting on the ball.'' This tournament also marked the first international appearance for young players who ''next time they play against the USA, will be better for this experience."

Millie Bright, the Chelsea defender, came under scrutiny for being involved in several opposition goals. Against France, Gaetane Thiney's shot on goal deflected off Bright's back and into the net, this was however rewarded to the attacker. A clearance from keeper Siobhan Chamberlain against Germany came off Bright to score an own goal, and in the final against the USA, Bright's own clearance bounced off keeper Bardsley and went in. Despite this run of seemingly bad luck, Neville is unconcerned by Bright's performance otherwise. ''There's nothing you can say," said Neville. "She's performed brilliantly. She played the first game when she was sick and was outstanding in the second.'' ''These things happen. You have runs of games where luck goes against you but I just want her to continue to play at the standards she's set at this tournament and if she does that she'll have no problems."

For the Lionnesses, their next fixture will be against Wales in the Women's World Cup qualifiers in Southampton on 6th April, in a bid to secure their place in France for the finals next year.