England's tragic heroines will transform game back home, says coach Mark Sampson

Laura Bassett's 92nd minute own goal gifted Japan a 2-1 victory in Edmonton but an emotional Sampson said the first ever appearance for the Lionesses in a semi-final should encourage efforts to improve the sport in England.

"What this team have done for the women's game back home, I know will have a lasting legacy, because the way this team has gone out, as hard as it is, will make them even bigger heroes," Sampson told reporters.

The England coach then made a direct appeal to those involved in domestic women's soccer to help improve the game further.

"Come on everyone back home, let's raise the bar. Let's build on what this team has done," he said.

"Some had to be the trail blazers, some had to step out and say 'we are going to be the difference makers, we are going to be the catalyst' but as a group we are going to keep this ball rolling.

"I know I am going to demand that everyone back home really ups their game and we commit everything we can to keep growing this sport in our country," the Welshman added.

England have struggled to break into the elite of the women's game but with wins over Norway and hosts Canada in the knockout stage before their agonising loss to the defending champions, they have shown they can compete with the best.

The creation of the two-tier FA Women's Super League in 2010, with several Premier League clubs actively involved, gave the women's game a major boost and the 2012 London Olympics also helped popularise the sport with the public.

However, Sampson said the bar needs to be set even higher.

"We have some amazing people involved in the game in our country and I know they are hurting right now but I know, come tomorrow morning, they are going to get up and say 'let's keep this snowball rolling', let's make sure that next time we go to a major championship, England has got the strongest women's football programme in the world," he added.

"We have that potential, just because of the quality of people we have got in our programme. We needed a catalyst and this team has been that. So no more excuses, no more catalysts needed. Now it is about -- let's stay together, let's raise the bar and let's nail it -- let's get it done. Why not?"