Fourth-ranked Japan, the defending champion from the 2011 World Cup in Germany and silver medallists at the 2012 London Olympics, will meet the United States in the gold-medal match on Sunday in Vancouver.
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Bassett’s attempted sliding clearance, in the second minute of injury time, crashed against the under-side of the bar and over the line to rob England of the chance of a place in the final against the United States. But Japan, which has won six in a row, stopped England from scoring in the run of play after the teams broke for halftime tied 1-1.
England defender, Laura Bassett, said she was so embarrassed after finding the back of her team’s net against Japan that she wished she could disappear from the Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton.
The U.S. came close to claiming a third title four years ago, but fell to Japan in the final on penalty kicks.
It was the first time the women had reached this stage of the tournament and they went into the match as underdogs against a Japan side whose technical brilliance and passing game have led to comparisons with Barcelona.
In addition, The USA, winners in 1991 and 1999, are No 2 in the world. The ball deflected off her boot, past the England goalkeeper and into the goal off the crossbar. “Pure class”, American soccer great Mia Hamm said on Twitter. It’s been a long journey for all of us.
Victory against Germany on Saturday (7pm) in the third-place play-off would help heal the wounds inflicted by the Lionesses’ agonising semi-final exit to Japan on Wednesday.
FIFA and the Canadian Soccer Association deflected criticism about FIFA president Sepp Blatter and secretary general Jerome Valcke not attending the Women’s World Cup final, saying the winning captain won’t care who hands over the championship trophy. He later seemed to begrudgingly admit that England “moved more than expected”.
Midfielder Williams added: “Laura feels she’s let everybody down but I’ll tell you now, that girl has given everything in this tournament and she should be proud of herself”. She didn’t deserve that. “Laura Bassett is devastated after the own goal, but without her we wouldn’t have been in this semi-final”. “I can’t speak about the game”. Fara Williams took the shot and outguessed Kaihori to knot the game 1-1.
“Despite the gut-wrenching nature of the defeat, England’s women were terrific and should hold their heads high”.
Before boarding the flight from Germany, Sawa said: “I have to dedicate this win to the people who suffered the disaster”.
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“I have to admit something”, says the BBC’s Steve Crossman. “You always want a great game in the final, and that’s why we are here”. Ironically, Ogimi and Bassett played together last season at Chelsea before they both transferred during in the offseason.
