Lianne Sanderson interview: World Cup glory tinged with regret over supporting role

Lianne Sanderson admits the World Cup was a tough experience

LIANNE SANDERSON has revealed the mixture of emotions that comes with playing a bit-part role in a successful World Cup team.

 

Sanderson played just twice in Canada as England came home with the bronze medal after beating Germany in the third place play-off.

She came on against Colombia when England were 2-0 up with half an hour to go in the group and then with ten minutes to go of the Germany game.

She won the penalty which Fara Williams converted in extra time to secure Mark Sampson's side the medal but admits to feeling under-used.

Sampson rotated his side throughout depending on their opponents and received criticism during the early stages for playing boring and back-foot football.

 



Mark Sampson urging caution against France



But England rallied after a slow start to go further than they'd ever been before.

They came home as national heroes and Sanderson believes the hype has turned them into "a movement".

But she admits, that while it was amazing to be part of, playing a support role was a tough personal experience to go through.

"I'm not going to sit here and say it was the best time in my life for me personally," Sanderson said.

 



Sanderson was a frustrated substitute for much of England's campaign



"But the most important thing was that the team won, and we did as well as we could getting the bronze medal. 

"I'm a team player so I care a lot about us being successful but it was a bit of a tough time for me, playing such a big part leading up to it, and it's every player's dream to play in the big games and I felt like it was going to be my time to finally be on the big stage.

"I've played in two World Cups now, but unfortunately haven't played as much as I'd have liked. Any player that says they're happy on the bench is lying. 

"When people say to me 'you played an integral role in the bronze medal team' I kind of felt like I didn't do anything for the team because I thought my role was going to be bigger than that - coming off the bench to the win the penalty - but at the same time it enabled us to win the bronze medal and that was the best feeling in the world really, to be a part of that." 

 



Sanderson was a second half substitute against Colombia



Sanderson, who didn't play for England between 2010 and 2014 because of a fallout with former manager Hope Powell, is with the team, in China for the CFA International Tournament.

Sampson's side lost 2-1 to China this morning and take on Australia on Tuesday at 8am with a new-look squad as they look to build on the progress from Canada.

Only 11 of the 23 players from the World Cup squad made the trip to Yongchuan, a small town two hour's drive from Hong Kong in the centre of China, due to injuries and the Continental Cup final between Arsenal and Notts County in November.

And Sanderson believes, off the back of the World Cup, the side have taken on another dimension in the public's eye.

 



Sanderson points the way for England



Four players - Beth Mead, Drew Spence, Laura Coombs and Hannah Blundell - are in the squad for the first time while three others were still uncapped before this morning's game.

And the 27-year-old thinks the new additions will help push the team on even further.

"Everyone here is excited and buzzing to play these games," Sanderson said.

"There's a lot of new players getting their first opportunity with the first team so it's a nice combination of youth and experience.

"A lot of the girls that are here deserve their call up. Mark's been watching them closely. 

 

CHINA: Our #Lionesses enjoyed their first training session ahead of their first game in the Far East on Friday https://t.co/tz3fXkbqLc

— England (@england) October 22, 2015

"It's good to have youth in the team and new faces. It keeps everyone on their toes - there's a larger pool of players now and everyone knows they're competing for places.

"After our success at the World Cup this gives the players coming here a taste of what they really want - no one wants to be sitting at home watching, they want to be out with the team and involved and part of it, and the fact that some more have been given a chance it makes it more realistic for them to think they can make an impact with the side.

"And they see now the recognition you can get for playing for England - before, I feel like it was always a honour individually to play for your country, but now there's more recognition with the team, players as individuals within the team and as a whole, we've been getting a lot of coverage in the media and now people are even more excited for our team - it's kind of like a movement really and everyone knows about us." 

Sanderson joined Portland Thorns after the World Cup having spent half of the Women's Super League season with Arsenal.

 

Sanderson returned to Arsenal at the beginning of the season but left after a difficult six months

She admits her return to England, after six years in America, didn't work out and can't see her coming back again.

"It was difficult being back in England and a lot harder to adjust," she said.

"It felt like I was playing overseas, I didn't really feel like I was playing at home it was a struggle on a daily basis to adapt to things like training in the evenings, whereas in America I feel like I can get on with my football. 

"Everything is just there for me. The facilities are unbelievable. We get 22,000 fans at our games, fanatical fans, and I play with some world class players every single day - Alex Morgan, Christine Sinclair - there's great players in my team and playing with them every day can only make you better and you can enjoy being in nicer climates. I love the sun - nice weather, being around great players, it's a dream come true. 

"I can't see myself really ever playing in England ever again - I'm not one to make bold statements but I'm just happy in America."

PHOTOS: Some action shots from today's game with China, featuring goalscorer @EniAlu and @GemD1987 pic.twitter.com/pknxVW1Txx

— England (@england) October 23, 2015

But in the meantime Sanderson thinks England can get to the next level and win something.

Next up is the Euros in 2017 and after the World Cup she believes people have begun taking the Lionesses seriously as contenders for honours.

"For us now there's a load off our shoulders," she said. "We don't have to constantly prove how good we are. 

"Now we've played against these top teams and beaten some of them - and if we'd beaten Japan (in the World Cup semi final) we could have given America a fair run - so now people are starting to respect us more and we're not just there to make up the numbers."