Wed, Jun 29, 2011 page19

• Ocampo’s wonder strike foils England

  DEADLOCKED: England got off to the perfect start when Fara Williams’ looping header opened the scoring, but Mexico’s Monica Ocampo hit back before the break

  • AFP, WOLFSBURG, Germany
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  A freak long-range goal by Mexico forward Monica Ocampo saw the central Americans hold England to a 1-1 draw on Monday in their opening Group B match at the women’s World Cup.

  The Atlanta Beat winger was well outside the England penalty area when she hit a long-range first-half effort that curled up toward the cloudless sky before dropping down into the top left hand-corner of the England net.

  “It’s not something that I trained to do, it just came from the flow of the game. Thank god it went in and it put us back in the game,” Ocampo said. “It is special because it is a World Cup goal, I am really proud to have scored it.”

  

  Mexico’s Monica Ocampo shoots to score against England in their women’s World Cup Group B match in Wolfsburg, Germany, on Monday.

  Photo: EPA

  Ocampo’s effort in the 33rd minute was enough to share the points in Wolfsburg after England midfielder Fara Williams had earlier put the Three Lions ahead.

  “No excuses, we have played better and we will have to play better if we want to stay in this tournament,” England coach Hope Powell said. “The goal flew in, didn’t it, we would have expected the goalkeeper to save that, she is bitterly disappointed. We dominated up until that point, so we gave away a point.”

  Leonardo Cuellar’s Mexico face Group B leaders Japan in Leverkusen on Friday, while England take on New Zealand in Dresden.

  

  England goalkeeper Karen Bardsley fails to save Monica Ocampo of Mexico’s shot in their women’s World Cup match in Wolfsburg, Germany, on Monday.

  Photo: AFP

  Powell’s England side had got off to a fine start when Williams’ looping header opened the scoring after just 21 minutes. An accurate cross from Birmingham City forward Karen Carney eluded the Mexico defense, but found Williams on the edge of the penalty box, who headed home.

  However, Mexico drew level thanks to woman-of-the-match Ocampo’s stunning effort after her shot appeared to be flying high over the England goal. Goalkeeper Karen Bardsley was tracking the shot, but was caught out as it dipped down behind her and into the net to put Mexico level at the break.

  Not surprisingly, the goal put England on the back foot, while Mexico proceeded to fire in several attempts at Bardsley as they tested her ability — and nerves — from numerous angles.

  England wasted a golden chance to regain the lead just after halftime when striker Eniola Aluko failed to convert from just 6m out.

  The 24-year-old was left with her head in her hands as her mistimed swipe at the ball trickled though her legs and Mexico cleared the danger.

  The match was briefly halted with less than 20 minutes left after Mexico captain Maribel Dominguez went down with cramp and was stretchered off, while both sides took the opportunity to take on water on a hot afternoon.

  England conceded a free-kick to the left of their goal when defender Casey Stoney was booked for a dangerous tackle with time almost up, but this time Ocampo’s shot flew over the bar.
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