SYDNEY — England captain Millie Vivid has mentioned the squad will rally round Lauren James after she was proven a purple card of their spherical of 16 win over Nigeria on Monday in Brisbane.
James was proven a purple card for stepping on Nigeria defender Michelle Alozie‘s again within the 87th minute, which means England needed to play the rest of the match, together with additional time, with 10 gamers as they finally noticed off a spirited Nigeria aspect 4-2 on penalties after the sport completed 0-0.
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Whereas England are making ready to face both Colombia or Jamaica within the quarterfinals, they’re additionally planning for all times with out James. The 21-year-old was the star of their wins over Denmark and China within the group levels, however the purple card will see her suspended for a minimum of the quarterfinal and doubtlessly the remainder of the match ought to the Lionesses proceed.
Talking after the match, Vivid — who’s James’ teammate each with England and Chelsea — mentioned the squad will come collectively round James.
“It is soccer. Pay attention, I’ve had purple playing cards. Everybody goes via it as a participant, everybody goes via it on the world stage,” Vivid mentioned. “However for me, it is not a state of affairs that wants an excessive amount of gentle shining on it.
“It is occurred. It is previously. We’re via. All that issues is we come collectively as a gaggle, we have now every others’ backs, and it’s simply one other problem in soccer that the participant has to face. However we have now acquired her again fully and we are going to prepare for the following recreation.”
Vivid added: “I feel it’s actually necessary that we glance after one another. I’ve been via that. I do know precisely how that feels. I feel it is necessary that she has her house and lets her feelings settle. But it surely’s achieved now, we transfer on. We’re via.”
Lucy Bronze has taken James underneath her wing since she turned a part of the Lionesses’ setup, and the Barcelona star went to go to James instantly after the penalty shootout had completed to verify how she was.
“She’s a massively proficient participant; everyone knows that and clearly we’re very upset to lose a participant of her calibre going into the following recreation,” Bronze mentioned. “Nobody’s going to be extra upset than LJ. It is necessary to help her.
“Though LJ is the youngest within the group, she’s needed to mature from a younger age as a result of she’s been thrown into the highlight, whether or not that is to do along with her brother [Chelsea and England player Reece James] and her household or that she’s a improbable participant on her personal.
“Within the final recreation, everybody put the highlight on her; she offers with it very, very nicely. She likes hanging round with the older gamers, myself, Jordan [Nobbs], Alex Greenwood, we’re the three she involves asking for recommendation.
“Clearly she’s going to be upset in herself. I went straight off the pitch after the sport to ensure she was OK. Clearly she was slightly bit upset and rightfully so and greater than something she simply feels dangerous for the group. I mentioned to her: ‘We have made it via, it is a group, it is not only one participant.'”
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