USA 2 Japan 2: Japan hold their nerve better than the USA to savour World Cup glory
Japan’s giant-killing World Cup campaign ended in glory with a penalty shoot-out win over traditional powerhouse the United States in the final.
The States led through Alex Morgan in normal time and Abby Wambach in extra-time, but Aya Miyama and Homare Sawa equalised in turn – the latter taking the tournament golden boot from midfield.
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Hide AdA low-quality shoot-out saw Shannon Boxx, Tobin Heath and Carli Lloyd miss for the favourites before defender Saki Kumagai settled it 3-1 in Japan’s favour.
The USA had all the early pressure, Lloyd flashing a drive over from just inside the penalty area.
Leading striker Wambach then went close with a fierce right-footed drive which beat goalkeeper Ayumi Kaihori’s dive but thundered off the crossbar to safety.
Youngster Morgan, a half-time substitute for the injured Lauren Cheney, poked Heather O’Reilly’s cross against a post and the rebound struck Kaihori and bounced across goal, but captain Sawa cleared.
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Hide AdThe breakthrough came in the 69th minute from Morgan, who ran on to Megan Rapinoe’s long pass, held off Kumagai, and finished powerfully across Kaihori.
But Japan equalised with nine minutes remaining when Rachael Buehler and Alex Krieger got in a mess defending substitute Yuki Nagasato’s cross and Miyama took full advantage to take the game into extra time.
Wambach netted her fourth headed goal of the tournament, stooping to power home the impressive Morgan’s cross.
Again Japan had something up their sleeves. Miyama’s corner to the near post was met by a leaping backheel from Sawa, which took a slight touch off Wambach and nestled in the net setting up the penalty shoot-out.