Canada coach John Herdman has praised counterpart Mark Sampson after England knocked out the Women's World Cup hosts to reach the semi-finals.
Goals from Jodie Taylor and Lucy Bronze put England 2-0 up before Christine Sinclair got one back for Canada, but the Lionesses held on and will now play holders Japan for a place in the final.
Herdman told reporters: "Our best just wasn't good enough. We had chances but we never put it in the back of the net. I'll be beating myself up when I look back at the footage."
"They got their tactics right, they worked - congratulations to Mark. We can't hide that we are a transitional team but we wanted to make our country proud and I think we did. All I'm going to say is stick with us - we'll be back and fighting proud."
Herdman added that he had no regrets over reportedly turning down the England job 18 months ago, after Hope Powell left the role.
Written by
Michael Hincks
Michael Hincks
