England women's football team coach Mark Sampson has heaped praise on his side, saying that they deserve to 'go home as heroes' after their dramatic 2-1 semi-final defeat against title holders Japan at the Women's World Cup.
Although England produced a spirited show as they were 1-1 till the 90 minute, Laura Bassett's injury-time own goal helped the holders progress to the final while plunging the roaring Lionesses into silence.
In the light of his team's loss, Sampson said that it really is heartbreaking, adding that he is proud of his team as they left everything on the field and it is a really tough way to go out, the BBC reported.
Sampson further said that they came here as a huge underdog but insisted that they inspired a nation and, therefore, they deserve to go home as heroes.
Sampson said that the team has shown the world what it is capable of, adding that they would have special memories for the rest of their lifetime.
Japan will now seek to replicate the 2011 World Cup final heroics in Sunday's finale.
Meanwhile, England will lock horns with Germany in Saturday's third-place play-off.