England captain Steph Houghton excited to play Brazil
England womens captain, Steph Houghton says she is eager to be playing Brazil in front of a sell-out audience in the North East and will never forget how she began out there as a kid, wearing oversize tops, that was passed down by the guys team.
The Lionesses carry on Saturday on Brazil, a negative they have beaten twice this year.
Thirty thousand tickets are sold at Middlesbroughs Riverside Stadium. However, Phil Nevilles side are in need of a win, having gone four games without one.
Speaking to Sky Sports News, Houghton said:Clearly when the likes of me and Jill Scott began at Sunderland, we were 13 or 14 years old.
You had to pay to play with, #250 value of subs to play for Sunderland. Youd hand down kits in the mens side to play in, which has been extra large guys.
Look, I have seen every side of this previous 10 to 15 years and I would not change it to the world. I believe it gets us the players. I believe we are in a privileged position today. I am able to say I am a professional footballer. Its my occupation.
But in precisely exactly the same time, I wont ever forget what we have been in terms of how we got into this position. The future is truly bright for these young girls coming through today, who are 16 or 17.
Houghton, who performs centre-back for Manchester City, got married last June to preceding Bolton Wanderers defender Stephen Darby.
Three weeks after he was diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND), a condition that affects the mind and nervous system, resulting in muscular weakness. Fernando Ricksen, former Rangers captain, lost his fight to the disease last month, aged 43.
In Saturdays match, a live donation agency will be available, with profits going to The Darby Rimmer MND Foundation. The goal of the charity is to assist those suffering with the disease to raise consciousness and to fund future research.
Its been tough on a personal level, however I think with the foundation gives us something else to concentrate on, said Houghton.
Im attempting to focus on my soccer. I love being here. My husband is actually supportive of it now I am supporting his foundation as far as I can.
The Lionesses match against Brazil will be their first home game as the disappointment of the World Cup in which they lost from the semi-final to the USA.
One of the most important threats is likely to be Brazilian forward. She has won the FIFA player of the year on six occasions.
As a guardian, Houghton looks forward to playing against her:Those kinds of players may alter games in a second. She is definitely one of those kind of players.
She drives her staff on, whether thats her dribbling with the ball or even some of the tricks she does. She just adores the huge occasions so I have a massive respect for her and what she has done for the sport.
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