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 ENGLAND 2 SWITZERLAND 2England ended the group stage of the Cyprus Cup with a disappointing draw after coming from behind to put themselves into a winning position through goals by captain Casey Stoney and substitute Lianne Sanderson. Lara Dickenmann's late equaliser meant that Switzerland finished the group ahead of England in second place behind Canada, so after winning the tournament last year it has been a chastening experience for Hope Powell's team. Apart from in the second half of Saturday's 1-0 defeat by Canada they have rarely impressed and, against a Swiss side they were expected to beat, they created little in the way of goalscoring opportunities in a below par first half display. Swiss goalkeeper Marisa Brunner had to block an 18th minute Dunia Susi effort and seven minutes later she comfortably saved Emily Westwood's long range drive. A mistake at the other end by keeper Siobhan Chamberlain, who failed to collect Martina Mose's 27th minute cross, led to Dickenmann heading Switzerland in front. It could have been worse eight minutes after the interval, but from Mose's corner Ramona Bachmann sent a six yard shot over the bar. England made the most of that let-off, equalising in the 56th minute when from a Sue Smith free kick, Stoney had a close range shot blocked but forced the ball home at the second attempt. Powell's team were having the better of the game by this stage and took the lead in the 76th minute, Sanderson firing a 12 yard into the bottom corner from Susi's pass. The striker should then have wrapped up victory but, from ten yards out and with the goal at her mercy, she shot wastefully wide of the far post. That miss proved costly as, against the run of play six minutes from time, Dickenmann snatched the equaliser with a close range shot after Bachmann's effort had bounced off the far post. England must therefore play Italy in the 5th/6th play-off match on Thursday whereas Canada, who qualified with a 100% record, will take on New Zealand in the Final. England: Siobhan Chamberlain, Dunia Susi (sub Jess Clarke 80mins), Rachel Unitt, Danielle Buet, Lindsay Johnson, Casey Stoney, Alex Scott, Jill Scott, Jody Handley (sub Lianne Sanderson 45mins), Emily Westwood (sub Kelly Smith 73mins), Sue Smith. Subs not used: Rachel Brown, Faye White, Laura Bassett, Rachel Yankey. (Report by Tony Leighton/TheFA.com)
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