England's U17 female team delivered a sensational performance in their thrilling 3-3 draw against Portugal. They exemplified all the qualities needed to emerge victorious - tenacity, unity, and sheer determination.
Initially trailing 1-0 at halftime due to a goal by Ana Silva for Portugal, England made a bold move by changing their goalkeepers at the break.
Only five seconds into the second half, Mariana Teixeira struck again for Portugal, increasing their lead to 2-0. However, England's Captain, Scarlett Courtney Barrow, exhibited her leadership and skill, responding with a cleverly executed finish to reduce the deficit.
Unfortunately, Portugal quickly extended their lead to 3-1 with a goal from Diana Moreira. Yet, England refused to back down. Two rapid-fire goals, one from Courtney Barrow and another from Lily-Rose Chandler via the penalty spot, leveled the score at 3-3.
Back in June, we highlighted the potential of Lily-Rose Chandler, identifying her as a future star to watch. Her performance, alongside that of Courtney Barrow, reinforced that they are indeed the future of English Female Hockey.
The match showcased a tremendous team effort, and England is ready to take on Germany at 2 pm on Tuesday, aiming to continue their impressive run.