Eniola Aluko is hoping to achieve a double first when England play Norway in Ottawa on Monday evening. The normally prolific Chelsea striker – and possessor of a first-class honours degree in law – aims to score her first goal of Canada 2015 while helping England win their first knockout game in a World Cup finals.
So far this month Aluko has largely been required to sacrifice herself for the team, playing the lone-striker role in a 1-0 group stage defeat against France, being part of a front three in a win against Mexico and sitting on the bench during the victory over Colombia.
Now Mark Sampson’s constantly rotating side have reached the round of 16 she hopes her personal fortunes will change. “It’s frustrating not to have scored but you have to have the opportunities,” says Aluko. “In the France game I was asked to play a different role. I don’t think many forwards would have had many opportunities in that role.
“I’d love to score in every game but you’ve got to look at things tactically. Sometimes you’ve got to do things for the team. All I can do is try my best when I’m on the pitch and get in the right positions.”
At least she has already scored against Norway, albeit 18 months ago in Sampson’s first game in charge of England after succeeding Hope Powell. Much has altered for both sides since that 1-1 draw at La Manga in southern Spain but the memory still encourages Aluko as she targets securing a central starting place in the face of intense competition from, among others, the newly fit Portland Thorns striker Jodie Taylor.
“It’s nice to know I’ve got a goal against Norway,” she says. “But it does feel a long time ago. A lot’s happened since then. There’s been a lot of changes tactically and a lot of changes emotionally for us. But, as a forward, it always helps psychologically if you’ve scored against a team before. It would be brilliant to do it again. But we need to win this time.
“We have similar strengths to Norway. They’re strong, physical, hard to break down but we’ll look to play in a way where we can get our best attacking players on the ball as quickly as possible. The nature of the game will be different. It’s a knock-out match and set plays are going to be important.”
It will be 10pm in the UK (5pm in Ottawa) when the game kicks off but Sone Aluko will not contemplate turning in for the night until well after the final whistle. At 26 the Hull City striker is two years younger than his sister and the pair are extremely close. “I talk to my brother all the time,” says Eniola. “I talk to him a lot before games and he gives me loads of advice. He’s very proud of how I played against France. He’s hoping to come out to Canada and watch me if we go a bit further in the tournament.”
Sampson remains adamant England can win this World Cup but, while Aluko does not disagree, she emphasises it will not be easy. “I hope we can get through the round of 16,” she says. “We have to believe we can. Norway’s strong. They got a great result with Germany, they drew against the tournament favourites and were unlucky not to top their group.”
It is far from inconceivable that the game could go to extra time and possibly penalties. Aluko was expecting to be summoned for penalty practice immediately after chatting to the Guardian in a cafe just down the hill from the Fairmont, England’s somewhat stately five-star Ottawa home.
The hotel, a heavily turreted limestone edifice reminiscent of a French chateau, stands next to the parliament building where preparations for Canada Day on 1 July are in full swing. Temporarily oblivious to her eye-catching surroundings Aluko’s mind is elsewhere, fixed firmly on those 12-yard kicks.
“I’m sure we’ll start doing penalties today,” says the Lagos-born striker. “But there’s different philosophies regarding penalties. Some people say you’ve got to practise, practise, practise but others think it doesn’t matter so much because nothing can ever recreate taking them in a match situation.
“There aren’t actually that many penalties awarded in women’s football but I think I’m quite good at them.
“I think the most important thing is knowing what you’re actually going to do – and not changing your mind at the last minute. You’ve got to decide what you’re going to do and stick with it.”
The problem for Even Pellerud, Norway’s coach, is the uncertainty surrounding Sampson’s game plan and personnel selection. After using every one of his 20 outfield players in three games featuring contrasting starting formations, England’s coach is extremely difficult to second-guess.
Pellerud, however, has experience on his side. At almost 62 he is 30 years the England coach’s senior and won the World Cup with Norway in 1995. Following stints managing Lillestrom while working in the men’s game and then coaching Canada’s female side, Pellerud is back with his national team and promises to be a daunting opponent.
“We know it’s going to be our toughest game yet,” says Aluko. “We have to perform.”
