The 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup Japan vs USA final on Sunday, July 17: it’s the story of two nations’ teams with the unique ambition of becoming world champions in the women’s game.
So everyone is pointing their fingers at Pia Sundhage’s United States team to finish the business they’ve started—to conquer Japan in Germany and rule the world of Women’s Football for the third time in history. Analytically, it could be hard to imagine the Americans losing on Sunday.
They’ve proved that they have strength in depth thanks to the influence of veterans like Christie Rampone, Shannon Boxx and Abby Wambach. The trio’s addition to the likes of the energetic Megan Rampone, matured blood like top goalie Hope Solo and young gem Alex Morgan makes the USA what they are.
Now there is something interesting between the United States and the Japanese. Both teams lost their first ever international women’s game 1-0. The other ironic thing is that Japan’s biggest defeat remains their 9-0 trouncing in the hands of the USA way back in 1999. Hard to believe that Sunday’s Women’s World Cup final will produce a cricket score line, though…
Japan are a much improved side now. This World Cup has seen them reach their best ever finish. Never before have the Japanese qualified for the final. 2011 could be their year… who knows?
And they have a strong warrior named Sawa. She is Japan’s very own version of 5-time World Player of the Year Marta. Sawa is short but sharp. Her diminutive stature, besides, doesn’t deprive her from scoring quality headers.
Remember that the 32-year-old midfielder has 4 goals in her name at the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup. Her tally includes a wonderful hat-trick against Mexico which inspired Japan to an emphatic 4-0 win on match-day 2.
Now the good news for Japan is that Sawa is showing no signs of floppiness. In fact, she just scored against Sweden in the semi-finals of the tournament. There’s a feeling that Hope Solo would have to be extremely cautious in post, unless Sawa’s influence gets consumed by USA’s experienced midfield…
Talking about Japan in general, they ousted host nation and giants Germany in the quarter-finals of the Women’s World Cup, so don’t expect the majority of the home fans to back them for the title. Nevertheless, the beauty of a possible triumph for Japan is that it would be a consolation for the victims of this year’s devastating Tsunami.
They’ve proved that they have strength in depth thanks to the influence of veterans like Christie Rampone, Shannon Boxx and Abby Wambach. The trio’s addition to the likes of the energetic Megan Rampone, matured blood like top goalie Hope Solo and young gem Alex Morgan makes the USA what they are.
Now there is something interesting between the United States and the Japanese. Both teams lost their first ever international women’s game 1-0. The other ironic thing is that Japan’s biggest defeat remains their 9-0 trouncing in the hands of the USA way back in 1999. Hard to believe that Sunday’s Women’s World Cup final will produce a cricket score line, though…
Japan are a much improved side now. This World Cup has seen them reach their best ever finish. Never before have the Japanese qualified for the final. 2011 could be their year… who knows?
And they have a strong warrior named Sawa. She is Japan’s very own version of 5-time World Player of the Year Marta. Sawa is short but sharp. Her diminutive stature, besides, doesn’t deprive her from scoring quality headers.
Remember that the 32-year-old midfielder has 4 goals in her name at the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup. Her tally includes a wonderful hat-trick against Mexico which inspired Japan to an emphatic 4-0 win on match-day 2.
Now the good news for Japan is that Sawa is showing no signs of floppiness. In fact, she just scored against Sweden in the semi-finals of the tournament. There’s a feeling that Hope Solo would have to be extremely cautious in post, unless Sawa’s influence gets consumed by USA’s experienced midfield…
Talking about Japan in general, they ousted host nation and giants Germany in the quarter-finals of the Women’s World Cup, so don’t expect the majority of the home fans to back them for the title. Nevertheless, the beauty of a possible triumph for Japan is that it would be a consolation for the victims of this year’s devastating Tsunami.
