Japan 2-USA 2 (Japan wins 3-1 on penalties)
USA: Alex Morgan (69)
JAPAN: Aya Miyama (82)
USA: Abby Wambach (105)
JAPAN: Homare Sawa (117)
Japan beat the USA on penalties in a thrilling match that witnessed the Nadeshiko come from behind twice and win the World Cup on penalties. The match highlighted the failure of the USA to capitalize on a multitude of scoring opportunities as well as the strength of Japan’s passing game and its grace under pressure. Although U.S. coach Pia Sundhage's replacement of Alex Rodriguez with Megan Rapinoe in the starting line-up sparked the U.S. offense, Japan soaked up the pressure and surged forward using their short passing game and skilled distribution to the flanks.
Alex Morgan opened the scoring for USA in the 69th minute after latching onto a long through ball from Megan Rapinoe and using her pace and skill to one-touch the ball into the back of the net. The Nadeshiko kept pressing patiently and earned an equalizer in the 82nd minute when some confusion in the U.S. box allowed Aya Miyama to score from close range. As the match went to extra time, team USA's fitness and experience in high pressure situations seemed destined to earn them their third World Cup trophy as they threatened through set pieces and attacking plays featuring Rapinoe, Alex Morgan and Abby Wambach.
After a bevy of missed opportunities, Wambach put the USA ahead in the 105th minute with a header from an Alex Morgan cross that marked her fourth goal in four consecutive World Cup games. But just when it looked like the USA was sailing to its third World Cup title, the Nadeshiko’s skilled passing game and legendary patience blossomed again, this time three minutes from the final whistle. Homare Sawa flicked an Aya Miyama corner into the back of the net to make the score 2-2 in the 117th minute and send the 2011 World Cup final to penalties.
For the USA, Shannon Boxx, Tobin Heath and Carli Lloyd missed penalties one, two and three, while Abby Wambach scored on spot kick number four. For Japan, Aya Miyama, Mizuho Sakaguchi and Saki Kumagai scored penalties one, three and four, after Hope Solo saved penalty number two from Yuki Nagasoto. Japan scored from three penalty kicks, to one from the USA, with one penalty remaining and hence won the trophy upon Kumagai’s penalty conversion.
Japan now join Norway, USA and Germany in an elite group of four nations who have won the Women’s World Cup. Homare Sawa won the Golden Boot award for top goalscorer with five goals as well as the Golden Ball award for the tournament’s best player. Japan can claim victories over Germany, Sweden and the USA on its way to World Cup glory.
Showing posts with label Abby Wambach. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Abby Wambach. Show all posts
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Friday, July 15, 2011
Japan vs. USA: 2011 Women's World Cup Final Preview
Update: For more on Japan's 7/17 World Cup victory, see "Women's World Cup: Japan Beats USA to Earn World Cup Title"
On Sunday, the USA face Japan in the finals of the sixth Women's World Cup in Frankfurt, Germany. The match pits the experience, athleticism and success of the U.S. team against a Japanese team that is slowly but surely emerging as a major player on the women's soccer stage. The USA has displayed an extraordinary will to win and ability to overcome adversity in World Cup 2011 thus far. Against Brazil in the quarterfinals, the USA was outplayed for much of the match but found a way to earn a last minute equalizer to take the match to penalty kicks. Against France, in the semifinals, team USA was similarly outplayed in the midfield for at least forty minutes following its early goal but managed to carve out two winning goals within the last twenty minutes to earn a 3-1 victory and place in the World Cup final.
Against Japan, however, matters will be more complicated. While the USA can leverage its aerial strength and height superiority over the Japanese, it will confront one of the most organized, efficient and effective midfield formations in the women's game. Japan's midfield typically features Homare Sawa, Aya Miyama, Mizuho Sakaguchi and Kozue Ando, who play behind a two pronged attack composed of a paired combination of Shinobu Ohno, Nahomi Kawasumi, Mana Iwabuchi, Yuki Nagasoto or Karina Maruyama.
Against Sweden, Japan's starting 4-4-2 formation featured:
Goalkeeper
Ayumi Kaihori
Defenders:
Yukari Kinga (Right defender), Azusa Iwasimizu, Saki Kumagai, Aya Sameshima (Left defender)
Midfield:
Aya Miyama, Mizuho Sakaguchi, Homare Sawa, Kozue Ando
Strikers:
Shinobu Ohno, Nahomi Kawasumi
The notable change that Japan coach Norio Sasaki made against Sweden was the surprise inclusion of Nahomi Kawasumi in the starting line-up instead of striker Yuki Nagasoto. Sasaki is likely to start Kawasumi again, particularly since the USA will have fewer recent games from which to scout her playing style in preparation for the final.
On the U.S. side, coach Pia Sundhage is likely to play a 4-4-2 formation as follows:
Goalkeeper
Hope Solo
Defenders:
Ali Krieger (Right defender), Christine Rampone, Rachel Buehler, Amie Le Peilbet (Left defender)
Midfield:
Amy Rodriguez, Heather O'Reilley, Carli Lloyd, Shannon Box
Strikers:
Abby Wambach, Lauren Cheney
Amy Rodriguez is a striker that Sundhage likes to play deeper than Wambach and Cheney. Alex Morgan, who scored the third goal against France, represents another attacking option for the USA. The key in the match will be the battle in midfield and whether Japan can dictate the tempo and rhythm of the game. If Homare Sawa and Aya Miyama can assert themselves in midfield and allow Japan to play its passing game, the USA will encounter a real challenge to lifting the trophy for the third time. On the other hand, if the USA can assert its physical presence in the opposing third of the field and draw set pieces of all stripes, a USA victory is almost assured. The USA also has the advantage of the best goalkeeper in the world in the form of Hope Solo.
Keys for Japan
(1) Play its trademark passing game
(2) Attack down the flanks with Aya Sameshima and Yukari Kinga
(3) Effectively mark U.S. set pieces
(4) Concede few fouls near the box
Keys for USA
(1) Win set pieces in the opposing third of the field
(2) Play aerial balls to test Ayumi Kaihori, the Japanese goalkeeper
(3) Disrupt Japan's free flowing football
(4) Effective defensive play in midfield
On Sunday, the USA face Japan in the finals of the sixth Women's World Cup in Frankfurt, Germany. The match pits the experience, athleticism and success of the U.S. team against a Japanese team that is slowly but surely emerging as a major player on the women's soccer stage. The USA has displayed an extraordinary will to win and ability to overcome adversity in World Cup 2011 thus far. Against Brazil in the quarterfinals, the USA was outplayed for much of the match but found a way to earn a last minute equalizer to take the match to penalty kicks. Against France, in the semifinals, team USA was similarly outplayed in the midfield for at least forty minutes following its early goal but managed to carve out two winning goals within the last twenty minutes to earn a 3-1 victory and place in the World Cup final.
Against Japan, however, matters will be more complicated. While the USA can leverage its aerial strength and height superiority over the Japanese, it will confront one of the most organized, efficient and effective midfield formations in the women's game. Japan's midfield typically features Homare Sawa, Aya Miyama, Mizuho Sakaguchi and Kozue Ando, who play behind a two pronged attack composed of a paired combination of Shinobu Ohno, Nahomi Kawasumi, Mana Iwabuchi, Yuki Nagasoto or Karina Maruyama.
Against Sweden, Japan's starting 4-4-2 formation featured:
Goalkeeper
Ayumi Kaihori
Defenders:
Yukari Kinga (Right defender), Azusa Iwasimizu, Saki Kumagai, Aya Sameshima (Left defender)
Midfield:
Aya Miyama, Mizuho Sakaguchi, Homare Sawa, Kozue Ando
Strikers:
Shinobu Ohno, Nahomi Kawasumi
The notable change that Japan coach Norio Sasaki made against Sweden was the surprise inclusion of Nahomi Kawasumi in the starting line-up instead of striker Yuki Nagasoto. Sasaki is likely to start Kawasumi again, particularly since the USA will have fewer recent games from which to scout her playing style in preparation for the final.
On the U.S. side, coach Pia Sundhage is likely to play a 4-4-2 formation as follows:
Goalkeeper
Hope Solo
Defenders:
Ali Krieger (Right defender), Christine Rampone, Rachel Buehler, Amie Le Peilbet (Left defender)
Midfield:
Amy Rodriguez, Heather O'Reilley, Carli Lloyd, Shannon Box
Strikers:
Abby Wambach, Lauren Cheney
Amy Rodriguez is a striker that Sundhage likes to play deeper than Wambach and Cheney. Alex Morgan, who scored the third goal against France, represents another attacking option for the USA. The key in the match will be the battle in midfield and whether Japan can dictate the tempo and rhythm of the game. If Homare Sawa and Aya Miyama can assert themselves in midfield and allow Japan to play its passing game, the USA will encounter a real challenge to lifting the trophy for the third time. On the other hand, if the USA can assert its physical presence in the opposing third of the field and draw set pieces of all stripes, a USA victory is almost assured. The USA also has the advantage of the best goalkeeper in the world in the form of Hope Solo.
Keys for Japan
(1) Play its trademark passing game
(2) Attack down the flanks with Aya Sameshima and Yukari Kinga
(3) Effectively mark U.S. set pieces
(4) Concede few fouls near the box
Keys for USA
(1) Win set pieces in the opposing third of the field
(2) Play aerial balls to test Ayumi Kaihori, the Japanese goalkeeper
(3) Disrupt Japan's free flowing football
(4) Effective defensive play in midfield
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Women's World Cup: USA Beats Brazil on Penalties
USA 2 - Brazil 2 (USA wins on penalties, 5-3)
USA: Brazil own goal (Diane -- 2nd minute)
Brazil: Marta (penalty -- 68th minute)
Brazil: Marta (93rd minute)
USA: Abby Wambach (122nd minute)
USA beat Brazil on penalty kicks in the Quarterfinals of the World Cup in a remarkable game in which the USA took an early lead, went down to two Marta goals and equalized from a stunning, injury time goal by Abby Wambach that sent the match to penalty kicks. The USA put Brazil on the defensive through a second minute opening goal in which Brazil defender Diane put the ball into her own net after Shannon Box crossed from the left flank in search of Abby Wambach. Brazil struggled to find their rhythm after the shock of the opening goal but began to impose its authority on the game after 30 minutes of play. The Brazilians finally got the break they deserved in the 68th minute after a remarkable, solo play by Marta resulted in a penalty kick and red card for Rachel Buehler for a foul on Marta in the box. Hope Solo saved Brazil striker Christiane's penalty but the referee judged the USA goalkeeper to have moved off her line before the kick was taken and consequently allowed a retake of the penalty. This time, Marta stepped up to the penalty spot and made no mistake by sending the ball low to Hope Solo’s left.
Brazil continued to dominate possession for the remainder of regular time and re-opened the scoring just minutes into the first half of injury time with a brilliant Marta strike from her left foot that illustrated her game changing ability and designation as FIFA Women’s World Player of the Year for five consecutive years. But the Americans refused to give up and their legendary fitness emerged as a key factor in extra time as they poured players forward in search of the tying goal that would take them through to penalties. With just seconds left on the clock, Megan Rapinoe delivered a curling cross from the left flank to Abby Wambach, who refused to be distracted by Brazilian defenders and headed the ball into the roof of the net for a stunning injury time equalizer in the 122nd minute. In the subsequent penalty kick shoot-out, Hope Solo saved Brazil’s third kick from Diane while all of the USA penalty takers converted. USA's Ali Krieger scored the final kick to clinch a miraculous comeback for the Americans after appearing doomed to World Cup elimination by two goals from Marta, the world’s best player.
The match showcased the comeback and the fight of the U.S. team, their exemplary fitness, Marta's individual skill and a string of poor officiating. While Rachel Buehler's foul on Marta resulted in a deserved red card, Hope Solo's movement off the line was ever so subtle if present at all and did not merit a retake of the penalty. Team USA pressed forward after they lost Rachel Buehler and controlled much of the game despite being a woman down, due in no small part to their fitness and never say die attitude. On Brazil's side, Kleiton Lima's team failed to put the match away despite their one person advantage and lead.
USA: Brazil own goal (Diane -- 2nd minute)
Brazil: Marta (penalty -- 68th minute)
Brazil: Marta (93rd minute)
USA: Abby Wambach (122nd minute)
USA beat Brazil on penalty kicks in the Quarterfinals of the World Cup in a remarkable game in which the USA took an early lead, went down to two Marta goals and equalized from a stunning, injury time goal by Abby Wambach that sent the match to penalty kicks. The USA put Brazil on the defensive through a second minute opening goal in which Brazil defender Diane put the ball into her own net after Shannon Box crossed from the left flank in search of Abby Wambach. Brazil struggled to find their rhythm after the shock of the opening goal but began to impose its authority on the game after 30 minutes of play. The Brazilians finally got the break they deserved in the 68th minute after a remarkable, solo play by Marta resulted in a penalty kick and red card for Rachel Buehler for a foul on Marta in the box. Hope Solo saved Brazil striker Christiane's penalty but the referee judged the USA goalkeeper to have moved off her line before the kick was taken and consequently allowed a retake of the penalty. This time, Marta stepped up to the penalty spot and made no mistake by sending the ball low to Hope Solo’s left.
Brazil continued to dominate possession for the remainder of regular time and re-opened the scoring just minutes into the first half of injury time with a brilliant Marta strike from her left foot that illustrated her game changing ability and designation as FIFA Women’s World Player of the Year for five consecutive years. But the Americans refused to give up and their legendary fitness emerged as a key factor in extra time as they poured players forward in search of the tying goal that would take them through to penalties. With just seconds left on the clock, Megan Rapinoe delivered a curling cross from the left flank to Abby Wambach, who refused to be distracted by Brazilian defenders and headed the ball into the roof of the net for a stunning injury time equalizer in the 122nd minute. In the subsequent penalty kick shoot-out, Hope Solo saved Brazil’s third kick from Diane while all of the USA penalty takers converted. USA's Ali Krieger scored the final kick to clinch a miraculous comeback for the Americans after appearing doomed to World Cup elimination by two goals from Marta, the world’s best player.
The match showcased the comeback and the fight of the U.S. team, their exemplary fitness, Marta's individual skill and a string of poor officiating. While Rachel Buehler's foul on Marta resulted in a deserved red card, Hope Solo's movement off the line was ever so subtle if present at all and did not merit a retake of the penalty. Team USA pressed forward after they lost Rachel Buehler and controlled much of the game despite being a woman down, due in no small part to their fitness and never say die attitude. On Brazil's side, Kleiton Lima's team failed to put the match away despite their one person advantage and lead.
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