Spain turmoil in the past, says coach Jorge Vilda as side gear up for World Cup semi-final against Sweden

Spain coach Jorge Vilda said his team would not be in the Women's World Cup semi-finals if the country's soccer federation had not backed him during last year's player revolt.

Spain will battle Sweden in Auckland on Tuesday for a place in the final, nearly a year after 15 players threatened to quit if the long-serving Vilda was not fired.

The Spanish federation's boss threw his support behind Vilda, who froze out the mutineers from his squad before welcoming some of them back for the World Cup.

Vilda has since guided the team to their first World Cup semi-final, four years after they made the last 16 in France.

"You're asking about the past but first of all, I would like to acknowledge the backing and the support of our president Luis Rubiales from the very first day," he told reporters in Auckland on Monday.

"Without that we would not be here. I'm quite sure all of this would not have happened.

"We have a president who reacted with courage and put his trust in me and my technical team, and we are very happy about the whole process."

Emotions were running high in the Spain camp after beating the Netherlands 2-1 in the quarter-finals.

Several players broke down in tears, including veteran forward Jenni Hermoso, who spoke of playing to a crowd of 300 people early in her international career.

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Up to 43,000 are expected for the Eden Park semi-final.

Vilda said the team had been working with a psychologist, who had taught them how to manage their emotions.

"He's also told us that