England’s women come up against their toughest test of the Women’s World Cup tournament so far when the face host nation Canada for a place in the Semi Finals. This is the fourth time England have reached the quarter final stage but not once have they progressed. Could this be their year? A tough game in a potentially hostile environment awaits.

So far, England have played well and apart from defeat to France in their first group game, England have won their other three matches.

A 1-0 defeat against the aforementioned and much-fancied French team in the first group game was followed by victories over Mexico and Colombia in the other two group games and Norway in the last sixteen match. All three matches that England have won ended 2-1. The scoring potential is there to see, but so is the tendency to concede, with the Lionesses having done so four times in as many matches.

Hosts Canada came through their own group unscathed – just – winning the group after winning one and drawing two. They progressed from the last sixteen by beating Switzerland 1-0. Goals have not been easy to come by scoring three in their four matches so far. But the problem England may have is finding a way through Canada’s mean defence. They have conceded just the once so far, versus the Netherlands in their final group game.

When England play Canada a tight defence may be key as Canada will be expected to attack, especially playing in front of an expectant and capacity crowd in Vancouver on Saturday (early Sunday morning in England).

England will possibly go into this game with slightly more confidence than Canada having won their last three games and if they can silence the Canadian crowd the game could be theirs for the taking.

Whatever happens, England can return home proud of what they have done in the tournament. They will have surely introduced more people to the women’s game that is already steadily growing throughout the country.

A strong North East presence is in the England squad with captain Steph Houghton hailing from County Durham, midfield dynamo Jill Scott is from Sunderland, Lucy Bronze who scored a goal of the tournament contender in the last match hails from Berwick-upon-Tweed and Jordan Nobbs, who started against Colombia, is from Stockton-on-Tees. All have at some stage played for Sunderland Ladies. The North East game in general is thriving at the moment with Sunderland Ladies promoted to Women’s Super League after winning the League Two Championship last year.

Keeping with North East theme, let’s not forget that the current Canadian coach John Herdman is a Newcastle United fan and is also from County Durham. This should give the likes of proud Mackem Jill Scott and Steph Houghton who are both Sunderland supporters extra incentive to do well in the game. There are also other players from the region who aren’t Newcastle supporters or Geordie’s that will want to do well in this game. This “friendly” rivalry could end up being England’s ace card.

England’s women also feature a handful from/playing in the North West, such as striker Toni Duggan who is from Liverpool and plays for Manchester City. Fara Williams, the most capped player in the squad with 144 plays for Liverpool. The aforementioned trio of Houghton, Scott and Bronze ply their trade for Manchester City.

The south of the country is also well represented with the likes of 122-capped Alex Scott and 120-capped Casey Story playing for Arsenal. Midfielder Katie Chapman and defender Claire Rafferty both born in London play for Chelsea Ladies. Other areas are represented too such as Nottingham and Reading and Birmingham respectively.

If the growth of the women’s game can continue as it is doing so, and with the exposure it is getting from the likes of this World Cup, plus the funding the game is allegedly getting, women’s football is only going one way, and that’s forward.