2 July 2015
Last updated at
06:49
England deserve to “go home as heroes” after their dramatic semi-final defeat by Japan at the Women’s World Cup, according to manager Mark Sampson.
The Lionesses matched the holders over 90 minutes in Edmonton, but defender Laura Bassett’s agonising injury-time own goal gave
Japan a 2-1 victory.
“It really is heartbreaking. I’m so proud of them,” Sampson said.
“I’ve told them it’s OK to cry. They left everything on the field and it’s a really tough way to go out.”
England had made history
by reaching their first Women’s World Cup semi-final
but could not go one step further as unbeaten Japan set up a repeat of
the 2011 final
with the USA on Sunday.
The Lionesses will face Germany in Saturday’s third-place play-off.
‘As good as having a medal around the neck’
Sampson, 32, said that the spirit built in the England squad and the togetherness fostered during the tournament was as good as winning a medal.
“We came here as a huge underdog with the weight of a nation on our back. The players have inspired a nation and they deserve to go home as heroes,” Sampson added.
“This team has shown the world what it …read more
Source:: BBC UK
