Asian giants Japan emphatically beat Sweden in Frankfurt while earlier the US used their vast experience to get past France in Moenchengladbach.
Despite their nickname Nadeshiko, a pink flower symbolising grace and beauty, the Japanese are proving no pushovers having beaten two-time defending champions Germany in the quarter-finals, and are now through to their first final.
“In Japan, there were a lot of people watching, which gave us strength and courage,” said coach Norio Sasaki. “That is very good for Japan, we are still recovering,” he added, referring to the earthquake and tsunami which devastated the country four months ago.
“There were so many victims in the area which was devastated and even little things like a win can give people courage and hope. We wanted to give them some strength and courage back and we want to do the same thing in the final.”
Earlier, Lauren Cheney (9), Abby Wambach (79), and Alex Morgan (82) kept the Americans’ bid for an unprecedented third title after 1991 and 1999 on track. Sonia Bompastor got a goal back for France after 55 minutes.
“They had the advantage of their history, it’s their sixth semi-final in six editions of the World Cup,” said France captain Sandrine Soubeyrand. “That made the difference. They were more efficient then us, we had a lot of chances. We need to move up another level.
“It was our experience that won it,” said Wambach, whose side are through to their first final in 12 years. “For about 50 minutes they set the tone and had the advantage and I was really asking myself how we could score.”
The final showdown between US and Japan will take place on Sunday.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 15th, 2011.
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what time is the game?