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সহকারী অধ্যাপক
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১১ আগস্ট, ২০২৩ ১১:৫৬ অপরাহ্ণ
সহকারী অধ্যাপক
England
warn 'best yet to come' despite James WC ban
SYDNEY,
AUG 11: Goalkeeper Mary Earps said the "best is yet to come" from
England despite losing Lauren James for two Women's World Cup games starting
with the quarter-final on Saturday against Colombia.
The 21-year-old attacker was punished by FIFA
after her red card in the last 16 for stamping on Nigeria's Michelle Alozie,
ruling her out until the final should the European champions get that far.
Chelsea's James had been instrumental prior to
that, including two goals and three assists in a 6-1 thrashing of China, and
the winner against Denmark.
"We have a squad of 23, we know how we want
to fill that position," coach Sarina Wiegman said on the eve of the
meeting with Colombia in Sydney.
"It's two games, that's a fact for us, we respect the
punishment. We take it from here and hope we get through."
James has publicly apologised and Earps said:
"Now she faces the consequences and as a team we stick together, stand
behind her and she will support the team absolutely while she serves that
(ban).
"Naturally we want everyone to be available
all the time but it is what it is. We are a very together and cohesive unit and
the focus is very much on the game tomorrow."
England only stumbled into the quarter-finals
4-2 on penalties over 40th-ranked Nigeria, forced to play extra time a player
down after James's red card.
They can expect another tough battle from an
attacking Colombia side brimming with confidence after making the last eight
for the first time, upsetting Germany along the way.
But Earps said England were in "a really
good spot" and "we've got more gears".
"I think you've seen glimpses of what we're
capable of," she added. "I really think the best is yet to
come."
Colombia coach Nelson Abadia is confident his
side's strength of character will carry them through to the semi-finals.
"We know all the history that England
brings in football, it's important," said Abadia, whose 25th-ranked side
made the last eight by edging Jamaica 1-0.
"But for me, it's 11 against 11 and the
optimism is the same we have for every match.
"There are several variables in any match
-- technical, tactical, physical," he added. "But what's important
for me is the strength in the team's character and that is going to be vital
for what we need to do."
Like Wiegman, Abadia has a selection dilemma and
must decide whether to keep faith with attacking defender Ana Guzman, who
played against Jamaica in place of the suspended Manuela Vanegas.
It was the composed 18-year-old's tournament
debut and her wonderful cross set up captain Catalina Usme to score their only
goal.
Vanegas is available again, but Abadia said he
planned to keep England guessing.
"Football is like chess, you need to know
how to move the pieces," he said.
"We need to be chess players and analyse.
We have analysed England and our opportunities and what our best chances are
going to be," he added.
"But as a coaching team we trust our
players whoever we call on.