Report: Germany 3-5 England Deaf Women

England Deaf Women beat Germany 5-3 to record their first win of the World Deaf Futsal Championship in Brazil.

Chris Day’s side were looking to bounce back on Monday after suffering 3-0 and 5-0 defeats to Japan and Brazil respectively in recent days.

And the Para Lions did just that as Zara Musker, Emma Brown and Louise Hogan all got their names on the scoresheet in Sao Paulo.

England dominated possession early on and created a host of chances, with Maisie O’Shea forcing the goalkeeper into two stops in a matter of minutes and Brown also going close.

The Para Lions’ first goal of the tournament arrived when O’Shea laid the ball back to Musker at a corner and the captain shot past the German goalkeeper.

England were peppering the opposition goal as Brown had three shots well-saved by the goalkeeper.

The Para Lion then scored a classy goal her performance deserved when she rolled the defender expertly on the right-hand side before hitting a low drive underneath the goalkeeper.

Germany had a brief spell where they threatened England’s goal but it wasn’t long before the Para Lions were back on top.

Lucindha Lawson shot wide after a slick passing move and Hogan had an effort saved by the goalkeeper’s legs.

Hogan’s impact on the game grew and she scored England’s third when she cut in from the left and thumped in a right-footed shot.

It was then Hogan’s low cross from the right which was diverted into the net by a German defender to make it 4-0 shortly before half-time.

Germany were improved early after the restart and having seen a shot saved by the impressive Molly Ripley, they did pull a goal back when the goalkeeper saved Nicole Ilzhoefer’s initial effort but she was there for the rebound.

England went in search of their fifth goal, with Musker having a shot saved and Brown hitting the post, but then a slick Germany counter-attack saw Anna Wettin round the goalkeeper to make it 4-2.

O’Shea was next to go close, as she fired over from close range, and Musker also had a free-kick saved.

But Germany posed a much greater threat in the second half, as Ilzhoefer hit the bar, had an effort saved and shot wide in quick succession.

Germany sent their goalkeeper forward in search of a way back into the game and England’s fifth goal came when Brown tackled Ilzhoefer deep in the Para Lions half and she rolled the ball into the empty net.

The game’s final goal also arrived courtesy of a goalkeeper being out of her usual position, as England looked to attack from a throw-in but instead of finding the goalkeeper on the left flank with a pass, the ball inside went straight to Wettin and she was able to score into the empty net.

Next up for England Deaf Women will be Argentina on Tuesday, which kicks off at 11am GMT and can be viewed here.

England: 1 Molly Ripley, 3 Zara Musker ©, 4 Maisie O’Shea, 5 Louise Hogan, 7 Danielle Evans

Substitutes used: 6 Lucindha Lawson, 8 Faye Williams, 9 Rose Kent, 10 Emma Brown

Head coach: Chris Day