“FIFA Women’s World Cup 2011 Champion” Title Goes to Japan

“FIFA Women’s World Cup 2011 Champion”  Title Goes to Japan after a shootout in the U.S., after a drama-laden 2-2 draw in Frankfurt.

Saki Kumagai Defender had the honor of hitting the decisive penalty as the home of Japan won 3-1 on penalties. U.S. was set back twice, but that Homare Sawa to match the final three minutes of overtime to existing sanctions.

U.S. created numerous scoring chances throughout the match but the goal of Aya Miyama nine minutes to go 90 minutes forced overtime, after Alex Morgan had the flag in the lead on 69 minutes. Abby Wambach scored seemed to indicate that the goal in 104 minutes, until the late intervention Sawa.

The tone was set by a strong U.S. performance with the world champions on two occasions showing his intent from the opening whistle. Lauren Cheney forced savings Ayumi Kaihori with a shot from an acute angle, after the striker had outmuscle Iwashimizu Azusa only 25 seconds into the contest.

At eight minutes, Megan Rapinoe found some space on the left and the ball became excellent wood just wide by Cheney. Barely a minute later, Wambach made a shot over as the U.S. remains bright start.

Carli Lloyd could easily have opened the scoring when the Japanese were unable to cope with the presence of a cross Wambach early discharge from the penalty area. The ball fell kindly for the midfielder, but she shone just above the crossbar from 15 meters.

Rapinoe then pushed the ball wide at the near post in a move reminiscent of Cheney’s effort minutes earlier.

Unlike recent games, Japan were struggling to maintain any possession in the midfield. U.S. keeps attacking raids as the explosion Rapinoe living in the area to the left and fired a shot against the outside pole Kaihori.

The game started to settle for the midpoint of the first half, and Japan finally had their first shot of note after 22 minutes, but Shinobu Ohno strike was wayward.

At the time of the first half came on 29 minutes as Wambach, all-time top U.S. Women’s Football World Cup scorer, hit a stunning shot near the corner of the penalty area that hit the underside of the crossbar and away to safety, with Kaihori well blended.

Japan finally shows some of their semi-final a bit more than the half hour mark as Ohno thread a pass behind the defense, but Kozue Ando was unable to get power in his effort to a good shooting position.

Cheney then pushed a header looping into the roof of the net after a long pass behind a static deceived Japan.

U.S. began the second half the same way they did the first. Just four minutes after the interval, Heather O’Reilly crossed from the right and Morgan, who came on for Cheney during rest, pushed her stick effort against the post.

O’Reilly then opened a shot against the side netting from a distance while Wambach skied a good chance after being released by a ball Rapinoe delicious.

Just after the hour mark, Sawa, enjoying a rare moment of time the ball in the attacking third, threaded a pass Yukari Kinga intelligent, but the shot was well wide of the defender.

Minutes later, Wambach smart header forced an excellent save as U.S. Kaihori increasingly pushing a starter.

And Finally

U.S. reward insured for your domain with the first goal on 69 minutes as Morgan opened the scoring with his second of the tournament. A quick counter attack saw him play a ball Rapinoe excellent through Morgan to use his strength to hold off a defender before reaching a perfect finish past Kaihori.

The Morgan 22-year-old once again proved his worth as a player for the big occasion, having hit the winner in USA against DPR Korea at the end of the 2008 FIFA U-20 World Cup Women.

Japan equaled something against the run of play 12 minutes later, as a cross from the right caused havoc in the U.S. defense with Miyama fully exploited to push the ball past Hope Solo from close range.

The game was end to end in the remaining minutes with King and O’Reilly, both efforts shoot well in the objective without being able to break the deadlock. So for the fourth time in six FIFA Women’s World Cup, 90 minutes was not enough to find a winner.

The game continued openly and with a high tempo after the break. Morgan carved the first opening of the extension only to fire crooked after getting the better of two defenders.

U.S. retook the lead a minute before the end of the first period of extra time. Wambach powered home a header from close range after crossing requires Morgan. Wambach was the fourth in the tournament, all headers.

With five minutes left, Kinga pushed the ball past the onrushing family with only an authorization captain Christie Rampone withdrawal denying the tie.

However, since the next corner, Sawa matched by diverting the corner Miyama, with just three minutes from time. The aim not only to ensure the match will be decided on penalties, but rose in absolute leadership Sawa as top scorer with five goals. Iwashimizu was sent for a professional foul, time ran out.

Shannon Boxx, Carli Lloyd and Tobin Heath could not take advantage of open U.S. in three prisons, and while there Nagasato Yuki effort saved, Japan can not deny that Asia was the first title.

Man of the Match: Kaihori Ayumi (Japan)

Source: [ www.fifa.com]

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Posted by Paracha on July 18, 2011. Filed under Articles, Entertainment, Sports. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.