Japan sets new benchmark for Asia with World Cup triumph
Source: Agencies |
July 19, 2011, Tuesday
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Print Edition
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JAPAN became the first Asian nation to win the Women's World Cup on Sunday, beating the United States in a penalty shootout after both sides were level at 2-2 after extra time.
The Japanese denied the US team the chance to become the first country to lift the cup three times.
The Americans missed their first three penalties, and Japan went on to win the shootout 3-1 when Saki Kumagai slotted the final shot high past goalkeeper Hope Solo.
Japan was always driven by a greater purpose, hoping its success at the World Cup could provide some emotional relief for a nation still reeling from the March 11 earthquake and tsunami. It paid off.
The team displayed a banner reading "To our Friends Around the World - Thank You for Your Support" before the final, and coach Norio Sasaki inspired his players before the quarterfinal win over favorite Germany by showing them pictures of the devastation.
On Sunday, the players were even more pumped us as the match approached its climax.
In a thrilling finale, 32-year-old Japan captain Homare Sawa flicked a corner through a jumble of players and past Solo with three minutes of extra time left to equalize and set up the shootout.
"We ran and ran. We were exhausted but we kept running," said Sawa, the top scorer in the tournament with five goals.
Japan had already scored late in regulation to force extra time, and the shootout success gave Japan its first victory over the United States in 26 games.
"Not one of the players gave up," coach Norio Sasaki said. "The penalty kicks are always a 50-50 percent chance."
Japan goalkeeper Ayumi Kaihori did more than her part, saving the first penalty from Shannon Boxx with her foot and swatting the third kick from substitute Tobin Heath away with her gloves. In between, Carli Lloyd skied her shot over the bar.
"In a shootout, I just have to believe in myself and I was very self-confident," Kaihori said.
Support
For a nation which prides itself on teamwork, Kaihori didn't need the support of her teammates in the shootout. Instead, she received it from the opposition.
"The Americans missed and that was support from the Americans," Kaihori said.
US coach Pia Sundhage was perplexed and couldn't find an explanation for the penalty misses. "Sometimes in, sometimes out," she said.
Sawa received the cup and immediately went into a huddle with her players, a multitude of hands cradling the trophy, as tightly knitted together at the end of the three-week tournament as they were at its start.
"There is no happier president than a World Cup winner," Japan Football Association President Junji Ogura said. "The players demonstrated the wonders of Japanese women."
Giving away an average of seven centimeters to their powerful opponents, at crunch time it was the size of heart and depth of determination which mattered.
"We were outplayed really but it was a triumph for perseverance," Sawa told reporters. "There was more pressure on them in the penalty shootout. There was no pressure on us.
"The Americans were so strong. They really are the best team in the world."
The Japanese denied the US team the chance to become the first country to lift the cup three times.
The Americans missed their first three penalties, and Japan went on to win the shootout 3-1 when Saki Kumagai slotted the final shot high past goalkeeper Hope Solo.
Japan was always driven by a greater purpose, hoping its success at the World Cup could provide some emotional relief for a nation still reeling from the March 11 earthquake and tsunami. It paid off.
The team displayed a banner reading "To our Friends Around the World - Thank You for Your Support" before the final, and coach Norio Sasaki inspired his players before the quarterfinal win over favorite Germany by showing them pictures of the devastation.
On Sunday, the players were even more pumped us as the match approached its climax.
In a thrilling finale, 32-year-old Japan captain Homare Sawa flicked a corner through a jumble of players and past Solo with three minutes of extra time left to equalize and set up the shootout.
"We ran and ran. We were exhausted but we kept running," said Sawa, the top scorer in the tournament with five goals.
Japan had already scored late in regulation to force extra time, and the shootout success gave Japan its first victory over the United States in 26 games.
"Not one of the players gave up," coach Norio Sasaki said. "The penalty kicks are always a 50-50 percent chance."
Japan goalkeeper Ayumi Kaihori did more than her part, saving the first penalty from Shannon Boxx with her foot and swatting the third kick from substitute Tobin Heath away with her gloves. In between, Carli Lloyd skied her shot over the bar.
"In a shootout, I just have to believe in myself and I was very self-confident," Kaihori said.
Support
For a nation which prides itself on teamwork, Kaihori didn't need the support of her teammates in the shootout. Instead, she received it from the opposition.
"The Americans missed and that was support from the Americans," Kaihori said.
US coach Pia Sundhage was perplexed and couldn't find an explanation for the penalty misses. "Sometimes in, sometimes out," she said.
Sawa received the cup and immediately went into a huddle with her players, a multitude of hands cradling the trophy, as tightly knitted together at the end of the three-week tournament as they were at its start.
"There is no happier president than a World Cup winner," Japan Football Association President Junji Ogura said. "The players demonstrated the wonders of Japanese women."
Giving away an average of seven centimeters to their powerful opponents, at crunch time it was the size of heart and depth of determination which mattered.
"We were outplayed really but it was a triumph for perseverance," Sawa told reporters. "There was more pressure on them in the penalty shootout. There was no pressure on us.
"The Americans were so strong. They really are the best team in the world."
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