FRANKFURT – Japan have won the Women’s World Cup, stunning the United States 3-1 in a penalty shoot-out yesterday after coming from behind twice in a 2-2 tie by the end of regulation time.
Shannon Boxx, Carli Lloyd and Tobin Heath all failed to convert for the Americans, who squandered dozens of chances throughout the game and blew a lead just six minutes from winning their third World Cup title.
“This is obviously going to hurt for a while,” said Abby Wambach.
Japan had not beaten the Americans in their previous 25 meetings, including a pair of 2-0 losses in warm-up games a month before the tournament. But the Nadeshiko played inspired throughout the tournament, hoping their success could provide an emotional lift to their nation, still reeling from the March 11 earthquake and tsunami.
After being presented with the gold trophy, Japan’s players jumped up and down on the podium, then gathered behind a sign reading Champions. World Champions.
“Not one of the players gave up,” said coach Norio Sasaki, who inspired his players before their quarter-final by showing them pictures of the devastation. “The penalty kicks are always a 50-50 percent chance.”
The United States last won the World Cup 12 years ago, and this team was certain they were the ones to break the drought.
Hollywood celebrities, pro athletes, even folks who don’t know a bicycle kick from a Schwinn were captivated by the team and charmed by their grit and can-do attitude.
Even President Barack Obama was a fan, taking to Twitter himself yesterday morning to wish the team well.
But the Americans lost this game as much as Japan won it.
“Evidently, it wasn’t meant to be,” Wambach said.
They’d taken the lead in the 104th minute off a header by Wambach.
Alex Morgan, who scored the first American goal, came up with a blocked cross and sent it to Wambach, who was camped in front of the goal on the six-yard line. Standing a head taller – and then some – from defenders on either side
of her, she needed only to nod the ball into the net.
But Homare Sawa flicked in a corner kick in the 117th minute – earned after 36-year-old captain Christie Rampone raced to clear Yukari Kinga’s chip over Hope Solo off the line.
It was the fifth goal of the tournament for Sawa, playing in her fifth World Cup.
Japan had already scored late in regulation to force extra time.
“We ran and ran,” Sawa said. “We were exhausted, but we kept running.”
The Americans got one last chance when Morgan was floored by Azusa Iwashimizu just outside the area in the 121st minute.
Lloyd, Boxx and Heather O’Reilly huddled behind the ball before O’Reilly tipped it to Lloyd. But Lloyd’s shot was well wide, and Heath couldn’t make anything happen with the rebound. (AP)
