Three of the England squad that won the bronze medal at the recent Women's World Cup in Canada have been selected as part of the All-Star squad by Fifa's technical study group. Captain Steph Houghton, fellow defender Lucy Bronze and goalkeeper Karen Bardsley made the list of 23 players. The announcement came as FIFA published the 234-page 'Technical Report' document which analyses the tournament, including in-depth statistical analysis of the 52 matches as well refereeing, goal-line technology and medical reports.
The squad consists of three goalkeepers, including Golden Glove winner Hope Solo, seven defenders and thirteen midfielders/forwards. Solo is joined by four other teammates from the champions USA, including Golden Ball winner Cari Lloyd who scored a hat-trick in the final. Runners-up, Japan, have four players in the team with fourth placed Germany represented aswell.
Houghton played every single minute as her side made history time and time again throughout the tournament, finishing as only the third England team (male or female) to reach the semi-finals of a World Cup, following 1966 and 1990. Similarly, Bardsley played every minute aside from being substituted due to an eye injury in the quarter final against hosts Canada. And Bronze made a name for herself after superb performances, including a great long range strike in the last-16 match against Norway.
Full FIFA Women's World Cup 2015 All-Star Squad
Goalkeepers:
Nadine Angerer (Germany)
Karen Bardsley (England)
Hope Solo (USA)
Nadine Angerer (Germany)
Karen Bardsley (England)
Hope Solo (USA)
Defenders: Saori Ariyoshi (Japan) Lucy Bronze (England) Kadeisha Buchanan (Canada) Steph Houghton (England) | Julie Johnston (USA) Meghan Klingenberg (USA) Wendie Renard (France) |
Midfielders/Forwards: Ramona Bachmann (Switzerland) Lisa De Vanna (Australia) Amandine Henry (France) Elise Kellond-Knight (Australia) Eugénie Le Sommer (France) Carli Lloyd (USA) Anja Mittag (Germany) | Aya Miyama (Japan) Megan Rapinoe (USA) Mizuho Sakaguchi (Japan) Celia Sasic (Germany) Elodie Thomis (France) Rumi Utsugi (Japan) |