FORMER Coventry City Ladies defender Laura Bassett starred in England women’s opening World Cup defeat at the hands of France on Tuesday evening.
The 31-year-old played a full 90 minutes as Mark Sampson’s side fell to a narrow 1-0 defeat thanks to a 29th minute goal by Eugenie Le Sommer.
Sampson was left angered after Bassett was seemingly elbowed in the face by Camille Abily with 20 minutes to go in Moncton, Canada.
But none of the match officials spotted the infringement and Sampson feels the French should perhaps have been reduced to ten players.
Asked if it was a sending off, he said: “If you look at Laura Bassett now, I think that’ll answer your question.
“We’re disappointed with that. We were told before the tournament that we’d be protected if we abided within the rules, and I think we’ve been let down by that one and so has Laura.”
England will look to get the World Cup campaign back on track this Saturday when they face Mexico before ending the group stage with a match against Colombia next Wednesday.
Sampson’s side will have to pick up points in either or both of those matches to be in with a chance of progressing to the last 16.
Sampson added: “As we grow into the tournament we will find more rhythm.
“We’ll be ready for Mexico. “There’s already an enthusiasm in the dressing room for the next game. We want to get ourselves to the next level.”
