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Played
July 17, 2011 2:45 PM EDT
Commerzbank-Arena — Frankfurt am Main
Referee:‬ B. Steinhaus‎
Attendance:‬ 48817‎
 
81′ Aya Miyama
117′ Homare Sawa
Abby Wambach 104′
120+2′ (PSO) Aya Miyama
Abby Wambach 120+7′ (PSO)
120+6′ (PSO) Mizuho Sakaguchi
 
120+8′ (PSO) Saki Kumagai
 
   
 
 

Player Ratings: Japan Women 2-2 USA Women (3-1 pens.)

Goal.com rates the players on show as Japan becomes the first Asian nation to win the Womens World Cup by defeating the USA on penalties.

By Martin Macdonald

  • Ayumi Kaihori
    40
    4
    3.00

    Ayumi Kaihori

    Could do nothing to prevent the USA goals and pulled off a couple of good saves. Also did well to claim balls aerially to take the pressure off her defense and was immense in the shootout.

  • Azusa Iwashimizu
    15
    4
    2.50

    Azusa Iwashimizu

    Was not as accurate in her passing as her teammates and was guilty of lobbing aimless balls up font. Struggled to deal with the pace of Rapinoe at times but made some important challenges.

  • Saki Kumagai
    22
    4
    3.50

    Saki Kumagai

    Played almost in a sweeper role and did well to kick-start attacks from the back with her passes into the midfield.

  • Aya Sameshima
    20
    3
    2.00

    Aya Sameshima

    Had to deal with the pace of O'Reilly and Boxx and did so excellently. Blocked a number of crosses and did not award a lot of room.

  • Yukari Kinga
    13
    2
    3.00

    Yukari Kinga

    Got down the right hand side well and got to the byline more than once. However this often left her out of position when the USA counter attacked.

  • Mizuho Sakaguchi
    14
    2
    3.00

    Mizuho Sakaguchi

    Dug in well in and attempted to stand up to the strong American midfield through closing down and solid tackling.

  • Aya Miyama
    22
    3
    3.50

    Aya Miyama

    Good late run into the box and took advantage of some poor defending to equalize for her team.

  • Nahomi Kawasumi
    17
    3
    3.00

    Nahomi Kawasumi

    Showed moments of good trickery and very quick feet. Looked a threat but ran into trouble a few times as the American defense re-grouped.

  • Homare Sawa
    74
    6
    4.00

    Homare Sawa Top of the Match

    Was the most influential Japanese player and sent a few very good passes through to the strikers to create goal scoring chances. Did brilliantly against the American defense for the late Japanese equalizer in extra time.

  • Kozue Ando
    12
    3
    2.00

    Kozue Ando

    Was neat in her passing but was unable to dictate the flow of the play for the Japanese.

  • Shinobu Ohno
    13
    3
    3.00

    Shinobu Ohno

    Pestered the American defense with her closing down but should have timed her runs behind the defense better and was caught offside on a few occasions.

Substitutions

  • Karina Maruyama
    18
    4
    2.00

    Karina Maruyama

    Substitute introduced half way through the second half and integrated well into the Japanese passing game.

  • Hope Solo
    37
    14
    0.00

    Hope Solo

    Did not have too much to deal with and could do nothing to prevent the Japanese goal. Distribution was accomplished and it set up counter attacks for the USA..

  • Christie Rampone
    19
    11
    0.00

    Christie Rampone

    Was dominant in the air and showed a cool head when under pressure. Perhaps should have done better with the clearance that let to the Japanese goal but organized well and was generally solid.

  • Amy LePeilbet
    17
    21
    0.00

    Amy LePeilbet

    Made two extremely vital interceptions that would have allowed Japan a clear path to goal. Did well on the overlap and sent some dangerous crosses in for Wambach.

  • Alexandra Krieger
    14
    20
    0.00

    Alexandra Krieger

    Was unlucky when the ball deflected of her shin which allowed the Japanese to equalize as all round performance was solid.

  • Rachel Buehler
    9
    37
    0.00

    Rachel Buehler

    Solid and dependable performance topped off with a determination that rubbed off on her teammates.

  • Shannon Boxx
    19
    46
    0.00

    Shannon Boxx Flop of the Match

    Solid and steady until the penalties came around.

  • Heather O'Reilly
    18
    11
    0.00

    Heather O'Reilly

    An exuberant performance that was full of determination. Looked dangerous when dribbling but service into the box could have been a lot better.

  • Carli Lloyd
    13
    48
    0.00

    Carli Lloyd

    Got in between the Japanese defense and midfield often and looked dangerous when in possession just outside the area. Attempted shots and decisive passes whenever possible.

  • Megan Rapinoe
    60
    12
    0.00

    Megan Rapinoe

    Decision making could have been better but showed electric pace a times and whipped a few dangerous crosses in from the left hand side. A great pass over the top for Morgan's goal.

  • Lauren Cheney
    18
    14
    0.00

    Lauren Cheney

    Was unable to establish a connection with Wambach up front and mainly had to fight for scraps in the penalty area. Was substituted at half time with an injury.

  • Abby Wambach
    58
    11
    0.00

    Abby Wambach

    Was a constant threat and bullied the Japanese defense with her pace and power. Showed good movement for her headed goal and was very unlucky not to score in the first half with a left footed shot that crashed against the crossbar.

Substitutions

  • Alexandra Morgan
    107
    5
    0.00

    Alexandra Morgan

    Came on at half time and looked very sharp. Took her goal brilliantly with a wonderful first touch and an emphatic finish.

Results
Semifinals
Times In EDT
 
Player Ratings
Tournament
Position
Ranking
Rank/Player Position Team Rating
No players found.
Top Scorers
Player   Goals Penalties
Homare Sawa Homare Sawa
Midfielder
Freedom
5 0
Marta Marta
Striker
FC Gold Pride
4 1
Abby Wambach Abby Wambach
Striker
Freedom
4 0
Lisa Dahlqvist Lisa Dahlqvist
Midfielder
3 1
Cristiane Cristiane
Striker
2 1