England 1 - 1 Mexico
Final
  for this game

Mexico aiming for first point in WWC against England

Jun 27, 2011 - 12:56 AM Wolfsburg, Germany (Sports Network) - England has been building momentum in the months leading up to the 2011 Women's World Cup, and the Three Lions will be hoping to start the competition well when they open Group B play against Mexico on Monday.

Wins over the United States and Sweden will provide plenty of confidence for Hope Powell's team, which will be looking to advance beyond the quarterfinals for the first time ever at a World Cup.

A fairly open Group B, which also includes Japan and New Zealand, will provide England with a chance to finish on top of the group and avoid a potential matchup with tournament favorites Germany in the quarterfinals.

With that in mind a win is a must on Monday for England, which will lean heavily on striker Kelly Smith, who is hoping to add to her total of 42 goals in 90 appearances for her country.

England's run to the quarterfinals of the 2007 World Cup was a step in the right direction, but a relatively kind draw into Group B has now provided the team a real chance to move further this time around.

Mexico will be appearing at the Women's World Cup for just the second time, with its inaugural outing coming in 1999.

In that tournament El Tri was dismissed after just three games, each losses by a combined score of 15-1. But according to striker Maribel Dominguez, who is the lone remaining player from the 1999 team, this time around has a chance to be different.

"This is one of the best national teams that we have ever had," Dominguez said. "There are many young players that have also played World Cups in different categories. This is a very dynamic team that is also strong and plays with heart."

Mexico may be eyeing its first point in a World Cup this time around, but it will have a tough time doing so against an improved England team with bigger things in mind.






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