ENGLAND MANAGER PHIL Neville rallied behind captain Steph Houghton after she saw her penalty saved in the Lionesses’ devastating Women’s World Cup semi-final exit to the US women’s national team.
Houghton stepped up after a VAR review adjudged Ellen White to have been fouled by Becky Sauerbrunn, but saw a scuffed effort easily saved by goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher.
But England had relied on the 31-year-old’s leadership and inspirational defending throughout the tournament – and Neville had nothing but praise for her.
“I couldn’t ask for more,” he said after the game.
“We had the time of our lives. Steph Houghton has had an incredible year. She’s an amazing person on and off the pitch.
She’ll be upset. She’s been phenomenal. No blame should be attached to her.”
England’s dream collapsed around them in the second half as they saw the penalty missed, White’s apparent equaliser ruled out by VAR for a fractional offside, and Millie Bright deservedly sent off late on for a second yellow.
Phil Neville says he's proud of his players, saying 'should be no tears' and they've 'touched the hearts of the nation' back in England #rtesoccer #WomensWorldCup2019 pic.twitter.com/iIcQLr2eLM
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) July 2, 2019
But manager Neville was pleased with the character and quality shown by his side against the reigning champions and the world’s number one-ranked side.
“We just ran out of steam. I asked them to play football the way we wanted. We’ve done our very best. I’ve told them no tears tonight,” he said.
“The disallowed goal was offside, we’ve had VAR decisions go our way. We got on with it. Millie Bright shouldn’t have been booked in the first half.
The referee wasn’t really in control of the game. Then we went to three at the back and got stretched.
“That’s football. That’s sport. You’ve got to pick yourselves up. We’ve got a big game on Saturday. We’ll go again.”
England will find out on Wednesday their opponents for Saturday’s third-place play-off game, with the Netherlands and surprise package Sweden taking to the field in the second semi-final.
The match will be a chance for the Lionesses to move beyond Tuesday’s disappointment and end the tournament on a high, before resetting and looking forward to the next competition.
With Euro 2021 hosted on home soil, England will be hoping Tuesday’s setback is just another step on a larger journey towards vindication in a major tournament.
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Snowflakes everywhere
@Noel Donohue: that old “snowflake” put down is so pre-covid.. Do try something less wet.
@JG: cu#ts??
@thomas walsh: spoke like a true football thug, didn’t know snooker had such vile fans that could utter that.. wouldn’t happen in America
@Charmaine ☘ Irish: what the word cults?? Get your mind out of the gutter
Years ago you could show emotions playing snooker. Nowadays they barely crack a smileeven if they win through to the next round. Altogether too stiff upper lip. Ronnie at least still shows a bit of passion for the game.
Ya probably shouldn’t of done it in fairness but if this was literally any other player it wouldn’t be such a big story.
@rory: it’s never any other player though is it?
@rory: it’s always Ronnie that’s the problem
@Niall Brady: did Ronnie hurt your feelings?
@rory: yes obviously the higher the profile of the player the more the media will focus on the transgression I mean this would be the same for any sport. If Mo Salah did it then it would get more headlines than if a player for Brighton did it? That is how news and media works. You sound a little surprised?
Here, save you searching… https://twitter.com/marjayhan/status/1515737879301050374?t=drKfmVJEOFYIL8N4wYORYQ&s=19
@⚡ Seánie ⚡: Watched the video.Looks like he is exercising his wrist.
Ah move on lads. A bitta feeding the pigeons in frustration. I hope no one got too offended at a gesture that wasn’t aimed at them!
I think the quote by Alex Higgins was and is very apt today. When Alex received one of his many lengthy snooker bans, he was asked by a reporter if he could survive without snooker and he retorted “could snooker survive without him”.
He was a hell raiser, Ronnie is a very mild version of Higgins but snooker needs these type of characters today if the sport if going to try and keep a substantial TV audience.Snooker needs them more than these characters need snooker.
Living legend is Ronnie.
The old shaking the bottle of pop there Ron
@kieran: I think he was just reminding himself to put more chalk on his cue
Ahh Relax