The USA meets Japan in tomorrow’s final of the Federation Internationale de Football Association Women World Cup. Look for the Germans to run away with this match.
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In Sunday’s epic rematch, Japan will try to be the first nation to win back-to-back champions in the Women’s World Cup, while United States of America will battle their way to also be the first country to have three WWC titles.
The Japanese arrived in this year’s final with a dramatic – and for the English, heartbreaking – semifinal victory.
Defensive midfielder Rumi Utsugi did not feature in that 2-1 defeat at Wembley, but believes her teammates will use the disappointment to motivate them ahead of what is expected to be a tight encounter.
EDMONTON Fara Williams struck an extra-time victor from the penalty spot as England defeated Germany 1-0 to claim third place in the Women’s World Cup on Saturday. Now the Americans have a chance to rewrite the books against the fast moving Japanese. When Germany’s Celia Sasic missed the goal on a penalty kick, Ebeling used her feed to express her amazement that a professional soccer player could shoot wide. “We have to be very aggressive from the first touch and as a team”.
Kylie Davis, a sophomore at Century previous year, said she’ll likely need to tape the championship game Sunday night and steer clear of any social media spoilers. However, their dreams were left in tatters in the semi-final, after a cruel twist of fate saw England concede an own goal two minutes into injury time at the end of the 90 minutes to eliminate them from the competition.
The terrific attacking work by Japan’s Nahomi Kawasumi, and teamwork with others in front of goal will be always be a reminder for the Americans throughout the duration of play tomorrow.
The United States could also be considered the home favourite with the 53,000-plus crowd at BC Place Stadium in Vancouver largely behind the Americans. “My girls know how to play together and create problems for defenses”, he told The Guardian yesterday.
“All I care about is winning this World Cup“, she said.
Germany is 18-0-2 against the Lionesses, with both draws in 2007. After the triple disasters of the natural disaster, tsunami and nuclear plant meltdown, people were just not paying attention to the World Cup, says Gingold.
And she’s done it when the team has needed her most — in the knockout stage, in which she’s scored in all three games. “We don’t have as much power, but we have the skills, techniques and a network amongst the players”.
And Sampson has challenged them to go out on a high, saying: “I won’t have to get them up for the game”.
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This USA squad has everything going for it – great team chemistry, talent and, perhaps most importantly, a desire to win that’s nearly unmatched. And the US, with a decided height advantage, will have a huge edge on set pieces.
