US can't pull off one last thriller
Source: Agencies |
July 19, 2011, Tuesday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
THE Americans stood on the field, watching in stunned silence as Japan celebrated.
This, they were certain, was their World Cup to win. Through every comeback, to every last second, they never doubted that, somehow, they would emerge as champions.
But the resilience that had carried them so far and captivated their country disappeared when they needed it most. Shannon Boxx, Carli Lloyd and Tobin Heath all failed to convert penalties as Japan stunned the Americans 3-1 in a shootout after the US twice conceded a lead.
"There are really no words," Abby Wambach said. "We were so close."
Wambach, whose vital contribution against Brazil and France was the reason the Americans were in the final, scored from another header in the 104th minute. But in the 117th, five minutes before extra time was to expire, Homare Sawa flicked in a corner kick to equalize and send it to penalties. It was the fifth goal of the tournament for the 32-year-old, playing in her fifth World Cup.
The Americans had beaten Brazil on penalties in a quarterfinal thriller, but they didn't have the same touch on Sunday.
"It's hard to do two rounds of penalties," Wambach said.
"The keeper, in a way, knows which way we're going to go."
Though the US is the two-time defending Olympic champion, it has been 12 years since that watershed team in 1999 won the World Cup. This squad was certain it could turn it around.
This, they were certain, was their World Cup to win. Through every comeback, to every last second, they never doubted that, somehow, they would emerge as champions.
But the resilience that had carried them so far and captivated their country disappeared when they needed it most. Shannon Boxx, Carli Lloyd and Tobin Heath all failed to convert penalties as Japan stunned the Americans 3-1 in a shootout after the US twice conceded a lead.
"There are really no words," Abby Wambach said. "We were so close."
Wambach, whose vital contribution against Brazil and France was the reason the Americans were in the final, scored from another header in the 104th minute. But in the 117th, five minutes before extra time was to expire, Homare Sawa flicked in a corner kick to equalize and send it to penalties. It was the fifth goal of the tournament for the 32-year-old, playing in her fifth World Cup.
The Americans had beaten Brazil on penalties in a quarterfinal thriller, but they didn't have the same touch on Sunday.
"It's hard to do two rounds of penalties," Wambach said.
"The keeper, in a way, knows which way we're going to go."
Though the US is the two-time defending Olympic champion, it has been 12 years since that watershed team in 1999 won the World Cup. This squad was certain it could turn it around.
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