Mark Sampson challenged England Women to "win every game" in the build-up to the World Cup – but he was delighted with the resolve they showed in battling back to earn a point against Holland at the Cyprus Cup.
The prolific Anna Miedema, the top European scorer in World Cup qualifying with 13 goals, prodded the Dutch ahead on 18 minutes after some terrific footwork by Danielle van de Donk.
But Eniola Aluko hit a stunning solo effort just before half time to ensure a share of the spoils against Roger Reijners’ progressive outfit.
England Women 1-1 Holland
The Cyprus Cup
Group B
Monday 9 March
Nicosia, Cyprus
It was only the fourth time England had fallen behind in Sampson’s 17 matches at the helm – but it was the first time they had salvaged a draw from a losing position.
Sampson said: "We had to show a very different side to this team, a side that we probably haven’t shown in abundance in the past.
"We had to show bundles of character to stay in the game initially and then grow into it. The most positive thing for me was that we showed that character.
"We stayed in the game and for the last half hour we were probably the better team. If the game had gone to extra time we’d have been the team to have gone on to win it because for the last 15 minutes were we the team pushing for that winning goal.
"But most importantly for us it was about finding a way to get a result and that’s what the team did."
England had already qualified for the Cyprus Cup final for the third time in a row following comfortable victories over Finland and Australia.
Aluko’s memorable goal, for which she danced around four Dutch defenders before sweeping home from 10 yards, guaranteed an unbeaten run en route to Wednesday’s showpiece match against Canada.
And Sampson was wholehearted in his praise of the Chelsea striker and her goal.
Aluko's goal was her 19th strike in her last 27 internationals
He said: "[It was] an unbelievable goal. That’s the quality Eni’s got.
"When you’ve got a game like that, when the team isn’t quite clicking and you’re having to work because you’ve got some tired legs, sometimes you need a special player to do something special and that’s what Eni did.
"It was an unbelievable piece of play and a great finish – and a goal that was important for the team at that moment.
"I’m delighted for Eni. Her attitude was exemplary."
He also reserved a word of congratulations for his back four. With Steph Houghton, Lucy Bronze and Casey Stoney all ruled out through injury, Sampson selected a defence with an average age of just 22 and a half.
And he was encouraged by their display.
He added: "To see [Gemma] Bonner and [Alex] Greenwood as a centre-half partnership for England with young Demi Stokes at left-back, young Amy Turner at right-back; [that match was a] great experience for that backline.
Hear from Mark Sampson and Eni Aluko after the draw against Holland
"I was delighted with their performances and the way they competed against some excellent forwards."
Now Sampson’s side face Canada in a repeat of the 2009 and 2013 finals, both of which England won. These two nations met in the group stage of last season’s Cyprus Cup when a Lianne Sanderson double gave the Three Lions victory.
But Sampson knows England must produce a top performance to win a third Cyprus Cup title.
He said: "We have come to this tournament to get some tough matches and we know Canada will certainly bring that to us in every aspect.
"We have to make sure that we are ready for that, that we’re prepared. But we’ll certainly do that.
"We will rest up, recover and get our heads on Canada, and get ready to produce a big performance.
"We want to win this cup and we are going to have to produce a massive performance on Wednesday night."
The final will kick-off at 4.30pm GMT.
