Women's World Cup: Japan Beats USA to Earn World Cup Title

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.

Women's World Cup: Japan Beats Germany 1-0 in Quarterfinals

Japan beat defending champions Germany in a thrilling World Cup quarterfinal marked by a clinical finish from substitute striker Karina Maruyama off an Homare Sawa assist. Germany threatened Japan’s goal on multiple occasions during the first twenty minutes, even though they suffered the unexpected loss of midfielder Kim Kulig in the 8th minute due to injury. But after Japan weathered the initial period of German dominance, the Nadeshiko began to play their trademark passing game. Japan played deeper than Germany for much of the match and opted for a well organized 4-4-2 formation that attacked down the center. Strong Japanese defending in combination with accurate passing stifled Germany’s midfield and allowed the defending champions few chances to create high percentage shots on goal. The injury time goal in the 108^th minute arose from a visionary pass from Homare Sawa in an attacking midfield position. Sawa saw an opening on the far right flank and lofted the ball past the German defense in tandem with a well timed run by Maruyama. The sprinting Maruyama beat German goalkeeper Nadine Angerer at the far post with a first touch strike on the ball that gave Japan the first goal of the match with twelve minutes remaining. Germany piled on the pressure in the remaining minutes with Melanie Behringer, in particular, initiating attacks from the left flank and set pieces. But Japan defended admirably by sending the ball into the stands and piling players in front of the box when necessary. Japan’s victory ended a 15 game unbeaten World Cup winning streak for Germany, which was gunning for its third consecutive World Cup title.

Line-Ups:

Japan

Ayumi Kaihori (GK), Aya Sameshima, Saki Kumagai, Azusa Iwashimizu, Yukari Kinga, Aya Miyama, Homare Sawa, Mizuho Sakaguchi, Shinobu Ohno (Mana Iwabuchi, 66, Rumi Utsugi, 116), Yuki Nagasato (Karina Maruyama, 46), Kozue Ando.

Germany

Nadine Angerer (GK), Babett Peter, Saskia Bartusiak, Linda Bresonik (Lena Goessling, 64), Annike Krahn, Melanie Behringer, Kim Kulig (Bianca Schmnidt, 8), Celia Okoyino da Mbabi, Simone Laudehr, Kerstin Garefrekes, Inka Grings (Alexandra Popp, 102).