England Women's Toni Duggan has backed teammate Laura Bassett to "bounce back" from the pain of scoring an own goal that put her nation out of the World Cup at the semi-final stage in Canada.
Bassett gifted Japan a 2-1 victory by accidentally sending the ball through to her own net in the 93rd minute of the clash.
Despite the blunder, Duggan has praised her teammate and is confident that the team will return stronger.
"I'm devastated, we put everything into this," The Express quotes Duggan as saying. "Laura Bassett has been our rock.
"I know how much she wears her heart on her sleeve, she is a great example for any player out there and I know she will bounce back from it.
"In the end it just wasn't meant to be. I am proud of how far the team has come and I know we'll bounce back."
Japan will take on the USA in the final on Sunday.
Written by
Danielle Joynson
Danielle Joynson
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