England continued their dream run with a 2-1 win over Canada in their last encounter and have now booked their place in the final of the competition. Jodie Taylor made full use of an error made by Canadian defender Lauren Sesselmann to open up the scoring in just the 11th minute. Bronze doubled the lead within three minutes to heap more pressure on the hosts.
Sinclair did pull one back for Canada before half time and the hosts showed a lot of promise in the second half but resilient defending from the Lionesses earned them a place in the semi-final of the competition for the first time in their history.
Experienced defender Casey Stoney who with 121 caps for the national side is participating in the World Cup for the third time in her career was ecstatic with the win and was lost for words when expressing her feelings.
"It's the best feeling I've ever felt in my career. Incredible," she said.
"I know some of the girls have just recently come into the squad but for the likes of myself, [and senior players] Fara Williams and Katie Chapman, I'm beyond words.
"I just know how hard I've worked, personally, and I know that everyone else on their journey has worked so hard and made so many sacrifices. It's all worth it now."
Manchester City defender Bronze who has scored in both her last two matches is now the team's top scorer in the competition. Having made it through some very difficult challenges the 23 year old is now hopeful her side can get the better of the defending champions.
"They're the reigning world champions and that's a big deal," Bronze added.
"But for us to play one of the great teams at a World Cup is exciting. We've come across Norway, a hard European team, a couple of South American teams and now the home nation. Japan will be a different challenge again, but we're looking forward to it."
England manager Mark Sampson has offered his admiration for the opposition on Wednesday but has claimed that his side will be ready for the difficult test which awaits them.
"Japan are probably one of the most exciting teams to watch. They haven't scored many goals but they haven't conceded many.
"They are the reigning champions and it will be a huge challenge for the England team but we are ready and in the next couple of days we will find a game plan and field a team that will give us a great chance to get to the final."
Japan on the other hand will be looking to make it to the final of a major global tournament for the third successive time having also competed in the final of the 2012 Olympics.
The Asian giants have won all the five matches they have played in the tournament so far. They however were give a run for their money in their last encounter against Australia which was settled through a solitary goal form Mana Iwabuchi.
Japan vs England team sheets
Japan lineup: Kaihori (GK), Iwashimizu, Kumagai, Sameshima, Sakaguchi, Miyama (C), Kawasumi, Ohno, Utsugi, Ogimi, Ariyoshi
England lineup: Bardsley (GK), Rafferty, Williams, Houghton (C), Bassett, J. Scott, Moore, Bronze, Chapman, Duggan, Taylor
Match details, result and original broadcast info
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