RECAP OF THE SEMI-FINALSJapan edge brave England to set up USA rematch
FIFA.comJapan are into their second successive FIFA Women’s World Cup™ Final but it took a cruel and unlucky injury-time own goal from Laura Bassett for the pair to be separated.
England gave as good as they got throughout the entire match with the two teams sharing first-half penalties via the boost of Aya Miyama and Fara Williams. The match seemed destined for 30 extra minutes only for England’s goal to be breached in the penultimate minute of injury time.
Barely 30 seconds into the contest Jodie Taylor left fly with an impressive effort which narrowly went the wrong side of the post from a position similar to her crucial quarter-final opener against Canada.
There was plenty of early endeavour from both teams but little in the way of gilt-edged goalscoring opportunities. England’s Toni Duggan fired a snapshot over while the same player failed to make good contact on the volley from a Jill Scott cross a few minutes later.
Then from nothing Japan were in front. A perfectly flighted ball from central defender Azusa Iwashimizu released a flying Saori Ariyoshi behind a flat-footed defence only for the No19 to be brought down by Claire Rafferty, allowing Nadeshiko captain Miyama to coolly slot home from the penalty spot.
Yet within seven minutes England were level from the penalty spot, in a sequence similar to that in Tuesday’s first semi-final between USA and Germany. This time Steph Houghton was deemed to have been brought down by Yuki Ogimi and Williams crashed home a near unstoppable effort from the penalty spot.
Both teams opened the second period with good tempo and Duggan crashed a shot onto the crossbar just past the hour mark leaving England just inches away from taking the lead. Almost immediately substitute Ellen White had goalkeeper Ayumi Kaihori at full stretch to push away a goalbound effort amid a succession of corners for the Europeans. From one of those corners Scott pushed a header narrowly wide as England turned up the heat.
Japan’s resilience, however, is renowned and the holders were in no mood to relinquish their crown without a fight. Mana Iwabuchi was introduced with 20 minutes remaining and the quarter-final match-winner was immediately at her livewire best jinking into the penalty area and firing a shot wide. Mizuho Sakaguchi then kept the 31,467 crowd on edge with a header wide.
England to their credit did not allow Japan to play with their usual composure setting up a desperate finale as both teams searched for a winner in normal time. Japan made one final break down the right flank and Bassett’s stretch to cut out a cross only served to turn the ball into her own goal off the underside of the bar.
Match HighlightsUSA into Final after a tale of two penalties
FIFA.comA Carli Lloyd-inspired USA are into their second successive FIFA Women’s World Cup Final™ following an intensely fought semi-final in Montreal against Germany as the Americans ran out 2-0 winners.
The contest was marked by a costly spot-kick failure from Celia Sasic, while Lloyd tucked away her penalty a few minutes later before then setting up Kelley O’Hara for a late sealer. The match was played at high tempo and with a level of physicality that you would expect of a match of this importance between the two highest ranked teams in the world.
USA had the better of the opening half as the Germans pressed hard when not in possession, while the Stars and Stripe looked typically steadfast in defence. Meanwhile at the other end of the pitch striker Alex Morgan had the best sights of goal. She firstly was denied by Nadine Angerer in a one-on-one opportunity after making a perfectly timed run behind the backline. Morgan then struck another effort wide from an acute angle from close range.
After the break Germany had a rare sight of goal as Anja Mittag pushed a header just wide, before drama on the hour mark. USA central defender Julie Johnston failed to deal with a bouncing through ball and fouled Alexandra Popp as the midfielder slipped in on the blindside. However, Canada 2015 top-scorer Sasic pushed her spot-kick wide amid US celebrations and tears of relief from Johnston.
Nine minutes later it was USA’s turn to earn a penalty as Morgan’s charging run ended with a foul by Annike Krahn and the ever-reliable Lloyd tucked away the opportunity.
Germany pushed for an equaliser but USA sealed the contest with six minutes remaining as Lloyd dribbled into the penalty area and coolly pulled the ball back for O’Hara to gleefully fire home from close range.
USA will now face the winner of Wednesday’s second semi-final between Japan and England for the right to be crowned 2015 Women’s World Cup champions on Sunday in Vancouver.
Match Highlights
