World University Games women’s football preview: Team GBR aiming to take the title once again!

World University Games women’s football preview: Team GBR aiming to take the title once again!

A squad of 14 English, three Welsh and three Scottish players have travelled to Chinese Taipei to chase another gold in the women’s football competition at the World University Games (WUGS).

Held biennially in major cities across the globe, WUGS, or the Summer Universiade, is the second largest multi-sport event after the Olympics, bringing athletes together to compete across 22 sports.

Team GBR’s women’s football team were victorious in Kazan four years ago and will take on South Africa in their opening game on August 18.

The side then faces Russia in their second and final Pool D game on August 22 in a bid to make it to the quarter finals two days later, with the final taking place on August 28. Take a look at the full Taipei 2017 World University Games women’s football fixtures.

Key facts

Venues: Chang Gung University Stadium and Hsinchu County Second Stadium

Dates: August 18-28

Team GBR members: 15

Medals up for grabs: 1

Three Brits to watch

Euro 2017 stars Fran Kirby, Izzy Christensen and Demi Stokes all featured in Team GBR’s gold medal winning team in Kazan, so here are the future stars to look out for this time around.

Megan Walsh

Before travelling to Hong Kong for a training camp with Team GBR, goalkeeper Megan Walsh was preparing for the beginning of the Women’s Super League season with Yeovil Town Ladies.

The University of Liverpool student is used to big-pressure games, winning the Premier League Cup with Aston Villa Ladies in 2013.

More recently, Walsh travelled to Sweden with the England under 23s for the Nordic Cup in June and did not concede a goal in all three games.

Annabel Johnson

Durham University student Annabel Johnson also has WSL experience, playing in WSL 2 with Durham Women after moving from Coventry City Ladies.

The defender helped Durham Women finish fifth earlier this year, before winning the BUCS Championship with the university team.

Kirsty Howat

Heading north of the border, Kirst Howat has represented Scotland at both under 17 and under 19 level and scored Scotland’s first-ever goal at a major under 17s tournament.

The University of Edinburgh student has come a long way since she began playing football in the garden as a child and now represents Celtic Women FC in the Scottish Women’s Premier League.

International star to watch – Rylee Baisden

USA Team forward Rylee Baisden signed a professional contract to play for Skövde KIK in Sweden as soon as she graduated from Pepperdine University in California.

Last year, Baisden led her university side in goals and assists and will be key to helping America make it out of Pool A.

The Team GBR women’s football team set to compete at the World University Games in Chinese Taipei:

Coaching staff:

To see the World University Games schedule of events, go to https://www.2017.taipei and to watch a live stream of the competition visit http://www.livefisu.tv/

WSU

The WSU Team bringing you news and updates from the world of women’s football.