SYDNEY — England vs. Colombia ought to have seen two of probably the most thrilling younger gamers on the Women’s World Cup go head-to-head.
Instead, Lauren James’ crimson card for standing on Nigeria defender Michelle Alozie means the England ahead will miss the quarterfinal in Sydney on Saturday and a showdown with Colombia’s Linda Caicedo.
James will even miss the semifinals if the Lionesses advance, after FIFA prolonged her ban for violent conduct.
“We respect that punishment. We take it from here and hope we get through,” England coach Sarina Wiegman stated Friday. “We know how we want to fill in that position. It’s a team effort and we support each other and we fill in places that come free.”
James’ suspension has denied viewers the prospect of seeing her go up in opposition to Caicedo, who has been excellent throughout her staff’s run to the World Cup quarterfinals for the primary time.
James made an enormous impression within the group stage of her first World Cup. She scored after six minutes in opposition to Denmark on her first begin of the competitors. She obtained two extra objectives and three assists as England beat China 6-1.
As spectacular because the Chelsea ahead has been, England is just not depending on only one participant. After all, Wiegman’s staff received the European Championship final yr with out James within the squad.
But her impression has helped make up for the truth that the Lionesses are with out three key gamers from that Euros success after accidents dominated Beth Mead, Fran Kirby and Leah Wiliamson out of the World Cup. Record scorer Ellen White has additionally retired.
So James’ flashpoint in opposition to Nigeria was expensive.
“What she did was wrong and she knows it was wrong and she apologized for it publicly and now she faces the consequences,” England goalkeeper Mary Earps stated. “As a team we stick together and we stand behind her in that and she will support the team, absolutely, while she serves that (ban).”
While England is with out James, Colombia might be trying to Caicedo to proceed her spectacular kind.
The 18-year-old ahead scored in her opening two video games within the group stage, together with her strike in opposition to Germany a contender for purpose of the event.
“We had the option to have an 18-year-old girl debuting at a World Cup and she did well because of her character and because of our team and players,” stated Colombia coach Nelson Abadía.
Caicedo has additionally been the main focus of consideration due to considerations about her well being.
Caicedo, who recovered after being recognized with ovarian most cancers on the age of 15, confirmed indicators of significant fatigue and exhaustion earlier the event. There have been no extra incidents in her previous two video games and she or he is prone to be among the many largest threats to England.
“I think they want to get the ball to their attacking players because they are unpredictable,” Wiegman stated.
England, ranked No. 4 by FIFA, went into the World Cup as one of many favorites after its triumph on the Euros.
Colombia, in the meantime, has been one of many surprises of the event, advancing as Group H winner, regardless of being ranked No. 25 and having to beat one other favourite in Germany.
Having overwhelmed Germany 2-1 within the group stage, Abadía is making ready for an additional upset in opposition to England.
“We know all the football history England brings. But what is important is to preform on the pitch,” he stated. “We have 11 players against 11 players. All the 22 who will start will be important. The optimism we have is the same that we have had for every match. We know the conditions, we know the ability, we know what our team has and how they can face this match.”
England was considered one of solely three groups, together with Japan and Sweden, to advance to the knockouts with three straight wins.
It needed to depend on penalty kicks to advance previous Nigeria after the spherical of 16 recreation ended 0-0 by way of further time.
“I really believe the best is yet to come. I think there’s so much talent in the group and so many more levels that we can go,” stated Earps. “I think you’ve seen glimpses of what we’re capable of, and we as a team know the standard that we want to get to, and we know that we can give more.”
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