WOMEN'S SOCCER WORLD CUP 2011: Japan and France create history

Japan, France create history


Saturday 9 July 2011

 The dividing line between joy and sorrow is wafer-thin at times, as was proved yet again on a remarkable and wholly memorable first round of quarter-finals at the FIFA Women's World Cup 2011™. Holders and favourites Germany lost a match at the tournament for the first time since a 3–2 quarter-final defeat to USA fully 12 years ago, dashing the hosts’ dream of a third global triumph on the trot, while France once and for all laid to rest a ghost from the past.

Five years to the day after the French men's team fell to Italy on penalties in the final of the 2006 FIFA World Cup™, also on German soil, Les Bleues claimed a berth in the last four for the very first time after overcoming England in another dramatic shoot-out. It also means the French women have qualified for the 2012 London Olympics, whereas the spectre of England's woes from the penalty spot at major tournaments surfaced once again.

Germany controlled long stretches of their clash with the Japanese in Wolfsburg, but created very little by way of clear-cut chances against the Asians’ flawless rearguard. Early in the second half of extra time, Japan substitute Karina Maruyama showed how it should be done, latching onto a sublime Homare Sawa pass to net the winning goal.

Before that, the Leverkusen crowd witnessed what was only the fourth penalty shoot-out in the history of the FIFA Women's World Cup. The role of tragic hero fell to England's oldest player, captain Faye White, who blasted her team’s fifth spot-kick against the bar. While the French celebrated, the salt in English wounds was exiting the tournament without losing a match in normal or extra time. However, the French victory was by no means undeserved, as Les Bleues were the better team on the day, even if they had to wait until the 88th minute before Elise Bussaglia cancelled out Jill Scott's opener.

Results

England 1-1 France (aet, France win 4-3 on penalties)

Germany 0-1 Japan (aet)

Goal of the day

England-France, Elise Bussaglia (88th minute)

In a dramatic finish to normal time, France were rewarded for a half-hour onslaught on the English goal, when Bussaglia took her courage in both hands, thrust to the edge of the box, and curled a stunningly precise shot with her left foot straight into the top corner. The glorious finish from the 25-year-old, a native of Champagne-Ardennes in the north of France, patently broke battling England’s hearts, and will be seen in retrospect as the pivotal moment in a tense and exciting game.

Memorable moments

Extra-time times two

Prior to the tournament, all the experts warned that the top nations are now tightly bunched in terms of quality, tactics and fighting spirit, and the passionate crowds have been treated to genuinely close and exhilarating women's football throughout. As a result, it was no surprise that the first day of the knockout stages saw both matches go into extra time, although the phenomenon has already occurred at the FIFA Women's World Cup in the past. At another record-breaking edition of the tournament, the 1999 finals in the USA, Brazil won the third-place play-off and the hosts sent a 90,185 crowd at the Pasadena Rose Bowl into raptures with victory in the Final, both on penalties and on the same day. Even in the absence of the hosts from now on, it seems the fans can look forward to drama and thrills all the way in Germany.

The sacred ritual

Despite pre-match tension, stress and a huge media presence in the build-up to a do-or-die encounter, some things remain sacred. As the England team bus approached the Arena in Leverkusen at around 5pm in the afternoon, coach Hope Powell and her staff were seen taking a cup of tea, totally in accordance with an ancient and long-standing institution in their home country. It was, of course, only 4pm in Britain, which is traditionally tea-time for the English. And why not enjoy a refreshing cuppa when you can? A little calm before the storm of a FIFA Women's World Cup quarter-final can only have been a good thing.

The stat

600 - Jill Scott's superb opener in Leverkusen was one for the history books, as the 24-year-old netted the 600th goal in the history of the FIFA Women's World Cup. The 1.80m midfielder will have mixed feelings about the goal, however, as it was not enough for England to book a place in the last four.

The quote

“Our problem was that we just couldn't score, because England ran and defended for their lives. But obviously, I'm delighted we've ended up winning, even though we were behind until shortly before the final whistle in normal time, and then again in the penalty shoot-out,” France coach Bruno Bini.

Next up

Sunday 10 July

Sweden-Australia, Augsburg, 1 pm CET

Brazil-USA, Dresden, 5.30 pm CET

WOMEN'S SOCCER WORLD CUP: England get a 2-0 over Japan topping Group B

 goal in each half gave England a 2-0 win over Japan in Augsburg in a result which not only gave them the three points, but also meant topping Group B in the process.


Japan coach Norio Sasaki named an unchanged line-up, while Hope Powell opted to give a break to captain Faye White and midfielder Fara Williams who both came into the tournament after recently recovering from knee injuries. Sophie Bradley and Anita Asante respectively took their places. England’s matchwinner from the last game, Jessica Clarke was preferred to Rachel Yankey out wide.

Kozue Ando had the first chance of the match, testing Karen Bardsley in the England goal with a shot from the edge of the box, but the England goalkeeper was equal to it. There were nervous moments for Japan as Sophie Bradley’s long throw was almost turned home by Ellen White, but Saki Kumagai turned the ball out for a corner.

Nagasato once again tested Bardsley from distance from the edge of the box, but it was another speculative strike which broke the deadlock with 15 minutes played. Carney’s looping ball between Japan's central defenders was met by a volleyed lob from White, which sailed over Ayumi Kaihori and into the net.

After a period of attractive, patient possession football from both sides, it was 20 minutes before the games next real chance which fell to Japan. Aya Miyama and Aya Sameshima combined well before the latter’s goalbound shot was cleared by Bradley. It was a game you could not take your eyes off.

England had a great chance to double their advantage a minute later when Jessica Clarke's cross was met by White's overhead kick. The ball almost looped over Kaihori, but at full stretch she was able to divert it out for a corner. The game was opening up now and after a committed run from defence by Sameshima, Miyama’s cross-cum-shot from the left was palmed away by Bardsley into the path of Yukari Kinga who blazed over.

A well worked free-kick five minutes after the restart almost saw Japan draw level. Miyama’s inswinging set-piece deceived the England defence and the unmarked Yuki Nagasato prodded the ball wide from close range. Japan were having their best spell of the game and only a well-organised England defence were keeping them at bay.

The Nadeshiko were made to regret not making the most of their pressure as England doubled their advantage in the 66th minute, when Unitt’s cross was controlled and then clipped over Kaihori by substitute Yankey.

Bardsley’s dominance of her penalty area and excellent decision-making to either collect or punch crosses from either flank were key in keeping Japan at bay.

Memories of the 2007 when Japan staged a late fightback were probably firmly fixed in England minds but they did well to avoid any undue pressure to close the game out, top the group and set up a meeting with the runners-up of Group A on Saturday in Leverkusen.

WOMEN'S SOCCER WORLD CUP: England and Japan battle for pole in Group B

Top spot in Group B is up for grabs in Augsburg when England face Japan on Tuesday evening. The Nadeshiko are favourites, needing only a draw to face the runners-up of Group A in the quarter-finals. However, England also need a point to make certain of their progression, as defeat combined with a Mexico victory over New Zealand with a significant swing in goal difference could see them heading home.

The game

England - Japan, Tuesday 5 July, Augsburg, 18.15 CET (local time)

The stakes

Memories of China 2007 entered the mind when England and Japan were drawn together last November. Four years ago in Shanghai, Aya Miyama was the hero for Japan as her free-kick deep into injury time earned the Asian side a 2-2 draw. England looked to have won the game after Kelly Smith's two quick-fire goals on 81 and 83 minutes, but Miyama, who had earlier fired Japan in front from another free-kick, came to their rescue.

Both teams are unbeaten coming into this game, although Japan are the in-form side having defeated New Zealand 2-1 and Mexico 4-0, with Homare Sawa grabbing a hat-trick. England, meanwhile have looked distinctively off-colour in their opening group matches so far and had to come from behind against the Kiwis to take the three points. However, there were signs in the second half of that match that Hope Powell’s side were coming back into form and a win over Japan would be a timely boost going into the knockout stages.

The stat

0 – Japan have never beaten a European side at the FIFA Women’s World Cup in eight matches and they have failed to register a single point in all five of their final group games in previous editions of the tournament. However, England have never beaten Japan in women’s football.

The words

"I think we need to improve our all round game. We haven't hit the mark yet, we know that but you also have to give credit to the teams we've played. Every game is tough. We just need to keep our composure, hopefully we can relax a little bit more, enjoy it and express ourselves against Japan," Hope Powell, England coach.

“This is an important game for us before going to the next stage. It’s important for us to play against England as we did against Mexico, then we can gain confidence and produce a result whoever we play in the quarter-finals. I hope we can continue playing our brand of football, and not worrying about the result,” Norio Sasaki, Japan coach.