How football saved England star Jade Moore

Dinnington’s Jade Moore will be a midfield driving force for England tomorrow as the women’s team try to overcome host nation Canada in the World Cup quarter final.
England's Jordan Nobbs, from left, celebrates with teammates Karen Carney, Jade Moore and Fara Williams after Carney's goal against Colombia during the first half of a FIFA Women's World Cup soccer match, Wednesday, June 17, 2015, in Montreal, Canada. (Paul Chiasson/The Canadian Press via AP) MANDATORY CREDITEngland's Jordan Nobbs, from left, celebrates with teammates Karen Carney, Jade Moore and Fara Williams after Carney's goal against Colombia during the first half of a FIFA Women's World Cup soccer match, Wednesday, June 17, 2015, in Montreal, Canada. (Paul Chiasson/The Canadian Press via AP) MANDATORY CREDIT
England's Jordan Nobbs, from left, celebrates with teammates Karen Carney, Jade Moore and Fara Williams after Carney's goal against Colombia during the first half of a FIFA Women's World Cup soccer match, Wednesday, June 17, 2015, in Montreal, Canada. (Paul Chiasson/The Canadian Press via AP) MANDATORY CREDIT

But former Doncaster Belles star Jade, 24, knows the game is not the most important thing football has brought her.

In fact, she says she owes her life to the game.

It was while she was training during a scholarship at Loughborough nine years ago that a routine health screening revealed two holes in her heart.

Surgery rectified the issue.

“If it hadn’t have been discovered I could have reached the age of 40, played tennis and kippered it” she told Radio 5.

Tomorrow’s game is in Vancouver (00:30 BST Sunday.)

Here, we look at where the Canada v England game could be won and lost.

STEPH HOUGHTON v CHRISTINE SINCLAIR

England captain Houghton was a breakout star in the 2012 Olympic Games, netting three goals in the group stages. The versatile yet reliable 27-year-old has established herself as centre-back under head coach Mark Sampson, and will be key in controlling Canadian star Sinclair. The 32-year-old forward is famed for her clinical finishing ability and her position as leading all-time goalscorer and most capped player for her country. Yet to reach her full potential in this tournament with only a single goal to her name - a penalty in the 1-0 victory over China - a massive home advantage in Vancouver and years of experience could allow her to shine. Quelling the threat of Sinclair will be one of Houghton’s priorities, but after scoring an equaliser against Norway in the last 16, she may be looking to put a few shots on target of her own too.

KAREN CARNEY v SOPHIE SCHMIDT

Veteran Carney may have made her England debut over a decade ago, but the 27-year-old still remains an instrumental part of coach Mark Sampson’s team - he calls her ‘The Wizard’. Having already scored against Mexico and Colombia in the group stages, the speedy winger will be looking to exploit any weaknesses in Canada’s form. She is unlikely to find one in Schmidt, who grabbed the only goal - a long-range shot which curled into the top corner - in a warm-up match between the sides prior to the tournament. Part of the bronze medal-winning side at the 2012 Olympics, the 26-year-old midfielder recovered from a bruised hip to help her team defeat Switzerland in the first knockout round.

FRAN KIRBY v KADEISHA BUCHANAN

Dubbed ‘Mini Messi’ by Sampson, 21-year-old Kirby took the ball round two defenders and tapped home in the Lionesses’ 2-1 victory over Mexico. At just 5ft 2in, the petite forward possesses a powerful instinct for goal that could be crucial this Saturday, where she looks to go head to head with another star of the tournament, 19-year-old centre-back Buchanan. Widely acknowledged as one of Canada’s best players in the tournament so far, no nerves have been evident from the precocious teen, who already has 39 international caps to her name. Great expectations will be on both to continue to thrive on the world stage.

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