Kathy Zelem (right) is enjoying life with England at the World Cup. Photo: Shutterstock/Matt Turner
After all the talk about England played three new matches last Tuesday, this weekend the focus is on a new quartet: 'The Meringue-tangs', an all girl group that includes teammates Rachel Daly, Kira Walsh, Captain Millie Bright and Kathy Zelem.
The English players entertained the rest of the team with their singing band on the bus for practice and matches. Midfielder Zelem doesn't expect to hit the charts anytime soon, but meringue tangas inspired by the dessert eaten at the team's hotel are part of the Lionesses' pre-match entertainment.
«You don't want to hear us because we're a little deaf,» said Manchester United captain Zelem.
We're really good at We're Family (Sister Sledge); we practiced it today. We sing a bit of Whitney Houston and things like that, we sing songs. My playlist and it will blow your mind. [We sing] «Unwriting» (Natasha Bedingfield), we're pretty good at it, and «Torn» (Natalie Imbruglia).
Chelsea centre-back Bright added: «We've opened auditions on the bus, but we haven't got more yet… It's me, Zel, Kira, Rach and we're trying to get Georgia [Stanway] in there. We can't sing, but we laugh. Every day, on the way to training, we always put on a song. We like to think we hit some good decent notes. Maybe one day you'll see us on Britain's Got Talent, maybe not!»
Zelem takes over as the team's DJ in the absence of injured captain Leah Williamson, who provided tunes for matchdays during last summer's Euro triumph. And as England gear up for Monday's round of 16 clash with Nigeria, Zelem says the team's coach can cater to a wide variety of musical tastes.
“There are a lot of people who need to be left happy and honest. the answer is that I probably don't, she said. «Everyone is chirping, 'I don't like this one — play it instead.' «I try to please all the girls.»
Zelem was in a good mood ahead of the England vs Nigeria match. Photo: PA/Zac Goodwin
On the pitch, head coach Sarina Wigman ensured that all teams sang from the same anthem in last Tuesday's 6-1 win over China, which qualified them for the play-offs as Group D winners. It was a special evening for the 27- summer Zelem, who made her first start at the adult international level, winning the ninth match for the national team.
Just four months ago, she feared her summer was coming to an end when she found out she had been left out of the squad for the April friendly against Brazil and Australia.
“Honestly, when I found out I wasn’t chosen for the April camp and I really thought it was my World Cup dream,» she said.
«It was one of the toughest moments, especially after last year's Euro when I didn't get selected. For a couple of days I really thought that I worked so hard all season and it just shouldn't be.
“A few days ago the girls were talking about how it's been a year since they won the Euro — it's been a year since I sat and watched them win the Euro. For me, these are just words. Football can change very quickly, and in my case it really does.»
Zelem is expected to start for England v. Nigeria Credit : Getty Images/Naomi Baker
Zelem was selected to step up and start the match against China, while Walsh of Barcelona was sidelined with a knee injury following widespread speculation about which of the substitutes in their previous matches against Haiti and Denmark would get the nod.
< p>«As soon as I found out that I was starting, I was in seventh heaven,» Zelem added. “We forget that the reason we are here is because we play well for our club every week. That was the mindset I was trying to have. After that I was so excited about six goals and some incredible ones. [I was] very proud of myself and my family that we had this moment.»
Meanwhile, Walsh is known to have stepped up her rehab this week, and on Friday she visited Central Coast Stadium . English training base for the tournament, for the first time since she suffered a knee problem against Denmark.
Walsh went through an individual training program away from the rest of the team, and the fact that she didn't fly home for treatment, will give fans hope that she can return later in the campaign if England moves forward.
Свежие комментарии