AFP, Orlando :
England striker Ellen White is determined to prove the Lionesses are worthy rivals to the United States on Thursday as the SheBelieves Cup kicks off in Florida.
The four-nation tournament gets under way in Orlando with Spain taking on Japan before England face the USA in a rematch of last year’s World Cup semi-final.
For White, Thursday represents a chance for revenge against the Americans, who won the World Cup semi-final 2-1 before going on to win a fourth title.
White, who bagged six goals in France to finish joint top-scorer alongside the USA’s Alex Morgan and Megan Rapinoe, says the English women are striving for the consistency of the Americans.
“They’ve always been that team that have gone on to consistently win and win major tournaments,” the Manchester City forward told reporters on Tuesday.
“It’s unbelievable for them and we want to strive to do that. It’s exciting to face them and put ourselves against them, especially with a new squad and the youngsters coming in for this camp.
“It’s an exciting time for us and we’ve got the belief that on any given day that we can beat the best in the world.”
White, however, admits she is still haunted by the VAR decision in the semi-final which allowed the United States to complete a 2-1 victory.
Her second-half effort which was ruled offside would have pulled England level and White added: “I do sit at home at night and say ‘ahhh, I just can’t stand VAR’.
“My husband will say the same thing! It’s frustrating. I still get a lot of people saying stuff about VAR.
“It really irritates me but it is what it I – that’s just football. Playing the USA is always so exciting though.
“They have some unbelievable players and it’s so competitive now. (The rivalry) has got bigger and bigger each time we have played them.”
For England defender Rachel Daly, who plays her club soccer for the Houston Dash, the agony inflicted in the Lyon semi-final was long-lasting.
