Burton Albion Football Club

England v Japan - 26th June

Burton Albion will be hosting more international football in the summer when the England Women’s Senior side face Japan at the Pirelli Stadium.
 
The match will be played on Wednesday 26th June and kicks off at 1.45pm. Tickets for this match will be available from Burton Albion at a later date to be announced and they are priced as follows:
 
Adults: £5
Over 65s / Under 16s: £2.50
Under 12s (accompanied by a fully paying adult): Free of Charge
 
A family ticket (2 adults and 2 children) is also available at £10.
 
Offers are also available for group bookings and for charter standard football clubs.
 
Burton Albion Chairman Ben Robinson said, ‘We are very much looking forward to hosting the Women’s National Team at the Pirelli Stadium. We have a busy year of international football ahead with the two under 17 England men’s also announced to take place in March.
 
‘This will be the first time the Pirelli Stadium has hosted an England Senior side and we are very proud to welcome the players and the staff to Burton Albion. Of course, many of the players who will be on display also took part in the 2011 Women’s Super League Final at the Pirelli Stadium.
 
‘Women’s football is a sport growing quickly in popularity and we are delighted to be a part of that at Burton Albion.’
 
An announcement will be made in due course when the tickets for this match go on sale.
 
The Pirelli Stadium is also hosting the men’s England Under 17 side in March when they face Russia and Slovenia.

World Cup holders and Olympic silver medallists Japan should provide a stern test of The Three Lions' credentials on Wednesday 26 June, while London 2012 bronze medallists Canada will be entertained at Rotherham United's New York Stadium on Sunday 7 April (3pm KO).

England qualified unbeaten for the European Championship Finals and have been drawn in Group C alongside France, Spain and Russia.

Powell said of Japan: "It was really important in preparation for [the Euros] that we try and secure the best possible opposition.

"They are a highly technical side. Everybody in the women's game likens them to Barcelona.

"[This] a really, really good opportunity to play one of the best teams in the world. It acts as a bit of a barometer, to see where we are and see what, perhaps, we need to do, or continue [to do].

"I'm really looking forward to the challenge. It will be a great fixture for us. Hopefully it will prove to be a really good game."

England were the only side to beat Japan at the 2011 World Cup, as goals from Ellen White and Rachel Yankey secured a deserved 2-0 win.

Canada have been regular opponents over the years at the annual Cyprus Cup and have beaten Powell's charges on the last two occasions, as well as defeating Team GB in the Olympic quarter finals.

These two mouth-watering fixtures will form part of FA150 celebrations, helping to mark a special year for The Football Association. Not only is 2013 the 150th anniversary of The FA, it is also 20 years since we took over the running of the women's game.

As such, it was decided the Japan game will kick-off at 1.45pm, a time negotiated to both secure a game against the World Champions and to give as many school groups as possible the chance to see some of the best female players in action. FA150 celebrations recognise the whole game and schools' football is a key part of that, though tickets will be available for everyone.

England captain Casey Stoney said: "The Olympics inspired a generation and we want to continue that legacy.

"The Euros will be shown live on the BBC and I'm thrilled that we are going to be playing against the World Champions in front of hoards of school children. This will let them experience international football at first-hand and get them right behind us before the tournament starts."

Powell reiterated her skipper's words: "I am delighted we can attract the best teams in the world in our anniversary year and Japan and Canada will give us a different test.

"We need these games to prepare our players for a very important tournament, both in terms of performance and raising the profile of the women's game.

"The Olympics were a watershed for us and many women's sports. We need to ensure we build on that legacy and retain the fans."