Defender Saki Kumagai had the honour of hitting home the decisive spot-kick as Japan triumphed 3-1 in the shootout. USA were twice pegged back but it took Homare Sawa to equalise three minutes from the end of extra time to force penalties.
Japan coach Norio Sasaki was understandably elated with the win and was quick to offer thanks to those who got behind the team during its historic campaign.
“Considering the current situation in Japan, I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their support and in particular for the support we received from Germany,” he said. “Germany is a grand football country and we received a lot of support here.”
Sasaki felt a strong performance from the USA prevented his charges from getting their free-flowing passing style going and was grateful to see fortune favour them during the lottery of the spot kicks.
“The Americans had some great attacking play but our defensive line was very well organised. The players were patient, they wanted to win this game and I think that’s why the Americans only scored two goals. Yes, we had luck in the penalty shootout and I definitely got some help from my football god.”
USA opposite Pia Sundhage would have loved to receive the same help but was full of admiration for the Japanese effort.
“There is something to be said about the way Japan plays,” she said. “They are comfortable with the ball even when they are behind and that kind of thing is good for women’s football. Playing in the final at the highest level, you have to take your chances, and we weren’t sharp enough with the two goals conceded. That is why we didn’t win the game.”
USA created numerous scoring opportunities throughout the match but Aya Miyama’s goal nine minutes from the end of the 90 minutes forced extra time, after Alex Morgan had given the Stars and Stripes the lead on 69 minutes. Abby Wambach seemed set to have scored the winner on 104 minutes until Sawa’s late intervention.
The tone was set for a strong USA performance when the two-time world champions showed their intent from the opening whistle. Lauren Cheney forced a save from Ayumi Kaihori with a shot from a highly acute angle, after the forward had outmuscled Azusa Iwashimizu just 25 seconds into the contest.
Unlike recent matches, Japan were struggling to maintain any possession in midfield. USA kept up their attacking raids as the lively Rapinoe burst into the area on the left and blazed a shot against the outside of Kaihori’s post.
The match started to settle by the midway point of the opening half, and Japan finally had their first shot of note on 22 minutes but Shinobu Ohno’s strike was wayward.
The moment of the first half came on 29 minutes as Wambach, USA’s all-time top FIFA Women’s World Cup goalscorer, hit a stunning shot from close to the corner of the penalty area which rattled the underside of the crossbar and bounced away to safety, with Kaihori well beaten.
USA commenced the second half in much the same way they did the first. Just four minutes after the interval, Heather O’Reilly crossed from the right and Morgan, who came on for Cheney during the break, pushed her near post effort against the post.
Finally USA secured reward for their dominance with the opening goal on 69 minutes as Morgan broke the deadlock with her second of the tournament. A quick counter attack saw Rapinoe play an excellent ball through for Morgan to use her strength to hold off a defender, before hitting a perfect finish past Kaihori.
The 22-year-old Morgan again proved herself as a player for the big occasion, having hit the winner for USA against Korea DPR in the final of the 2008 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup.
Japan equalised somewhat against the run of play 12 minutes later as a cross from the right caused chaos in the USA defence, with Miyama taking full advantage to push the ball past Hope Solo from close range.
The match was end-to-end in the remaining minutes with Kinga and O’Reilly both firing good efforts in on goal without being able to break the deadlock. So for the fourth time in six FIFA Women’s World Cup Finals, 90 minutes proved not enough to find a winner.
The match continued in an open fashion and at a high tempo following the recommencement. Morgan carved out the first opening of extra time only to shoot askew after getting the better of two defenders.
USA again took the lead one minute prior to the end of the opening period of extra time. Wambach powered home a bullet header from close range following Morgan’s precise cross. It was Wambach’s fourth of the tournament, all from headers.
With five minutes remaining, Kinga pushed the ball past the onrushing Solo with only a clearance from retreating captain Christie Rampone denying an equaliser.
However, from the ensuing corner, Sawa equalised by diverting Miyama’s corner with just three minutes remaining. The goal not only ensured the match would be decided by penalties but lifted Sawa into the outright lead as top goalscorer, with five goals. Iwashimizu was then sent off for a professional foul as time ran out.
Shannon Boxx, Carli Lloyd and Tobin Heath failed to convert USA’s opening three penalties, and while Yuki Nagasato had her effort saved, Japan were not to be denied as Asia claimed the title for the first time.
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