Women’s World Cup: Jubilation for Japan after clinching maiden title
Japan twice came from behind to win the Women’s World Cup for the first time, beating the US 3-1 on a penalty shoot-out after the final had finished 2-2 in extra-time.
Captain Homare Sawa, who won the Golden Boot and the player-of-the-tournament award, struck the equaliser in the 117th minute to keep Japan in the game after US striker Abby Wambach’s had put her team ahead early in extra-time as the two sides were locked 1-1 at over 90 minutes.
In the dramatic shoot-out, Japan goal-keeper Ayumi Kaihori saved two penalties before defender Saki Kumagai hit the winning spot-kick.
The US had taken the lead in the second-half of normal time courtesy striker Alex Morgan’s sublime strike, but Japan’s Aya Miyama poached the equaliser after a mix-up in the American defence in the 81st minute.
This was Japan’s first win over the Americans at the 26th time of trying and was heartbreak for the Stars and Stripes as they missed out on a third World Cup title despite dominating Japan for large periods of the game.
“We made just a couple of mistakes. We let them back in the game but I still think we did well,” said US coach Pia Sundhage.
“We had a lot of possession and played some good football. It’s hard to lose on penalties and it’s a small difference between winning and losing.”
Sawa urged to keep going
Meanwhile, Japan coach Norio Sasaki has urged Sawa to keep on playing and help the newly-crowned winners qualify for the 2012 London Olympic Games.
Sawa hinted she may retire after leading her side to victory in her fifth World Cup, having made her tournament debut in 1995, but Sasaki has urged her to continue.
“I know the foreign media focuses on Sawa, some people believe she is burned out because of her extraordinary performances here,” said Sasaki.
“It would make sense for her to retire at this point, she said she has achieved a lot, but I told her, look, you must continue.
The coach praised the Japanese players’ resilience after they defeated the two-time world champions in the final.
“My players were patient to the very last,” said Sasaki.
“They were unexpectedly cool-headed in the penalty shoot-out. I am surprised myself at the victory.”
‘Japan win good for women’s football’
US coach Pia Sundhage said that Japan’s victory can only help women’s football to grow.
“There is something to be said about the way Japan play,” she said.
“They are comfortable with the ball even when they are behind and that kind of thing is good for women’s football.”
Celebrations all around
The victory sparked intense celebrations as Japanese erupted in joy after their team won the World Cup, hailing “a dream come true” and “a miracle” for the country as it battles to recover from March’s huge earthquake and tsunami.
Local media reported extensively on the reactions of people living in shelters after the March 11 disaster in the northeast destroyed homes, left 21,000 people dead or missing and sparked a nuclear crisis.
In the shelters, and in bars, public places and in millions of homes, football-mad Japanese watched glued to the action live from Germany as their women emerged victorious.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 19th, 2011.
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