Sarina Wiegman mentioned she was ’10 years older’ after England beat Nigeria 4-2 on penalties to progress to the quarter-finals of the World Cup in probably the most intense sport of her profession.
The Lionesses have been agency favorites to prevail in Monday’s final 16, however needed to overcome Lauren James’ pink card within the 87th minute for a nerve-wracking interval of additional time.
James noticed pink for stepping on Nigerian Michelle Alozie in an act of irritability. Wiegman mentioned the assailant had apologised, however she “had no intention of hurting anyone.”
‘I spoke to her. I actually said (to her), “look, that happens to people sometimes,” that they’re in such an intense sport and such an intense, emotional sport, and in a break up second, she misplaced her feelings.
“Of course she apologized and she felt really, really bad. She definitely doesn’t want to hurt anyone.
Lauren James was sent off in the 87th minute for stomping on Nigeria’s Michelle Alozie
Sarina Wiegman has admitted that James has a “huge lesson to learn” after the error
“This was a moment, it was a split second, it was later in the game, so players are getting a bit tired too. She is an inexperienced performer on this stage and she has done very well.
“I think she lost her emotions in a split second. Of course she doesn’t want to hurt anyone, she’s the sweetest person I know. Things like that happen, you can’t change it, it’s a huge lesson to learn, but of course it’s not something she did on purpose.’
Chloe Kelly scored the winning penalty to send England through and Wiegman admitted she had not seen such an intense encounter in her managerial career.
“I don’t know anything about my heart rate, I just know I’m ten years older,” Wiegman mentioned. “It was a really intense match.
‘Nothing is easy in this tournament, that’s additionally very thrilling about this event, you may see that the ladies’s sport has improved a lot.
“You noticed it within the group stage, so many video games have been drawn and it’s not the anticipated groups which have gained on a regular basis. In reality, I haven’t performed many matches as intense as this one tonight.’
Lauren James will miss one sport, however her suspension is prone to be elevated to 3 video games
Despite falling to 10, England took victory on a penalty shootout
James will obtain an computerized one match ban for her pink card, however it’s probably that this might be elevated to 3, with FIFA guidelines stating extra video games might be imposed after evaluation. The board mentioned a choice might be made sooner or later.
Wiegman is already with out a variety of high-profile gamers at this event, together with Leah Williamson, Beth Mead and Fran Kirby. Keira Walsh returned from harm to start out yesterday’s sport, however was despatched off with a cramp in additional time.
When requested if she’s ever had so many issues throughout her profession, Wiegman mentioned: ‘No, I’ve by no means had so many issues, however after all it’s my job to think about issues that may occur in a match, or in a event, or earlier than a event, so that you attempt to flip each stone and provide you with the answer earlier than it occurs and at this time we’re fully examined on these stones!’