Posted on July 18 2011 by Brayden Dixon

Soccer – Japan wins FIFA Women’s World Cup Germany 2011

It all came down to the penalty kicks.  Penalty and that soft spot that most everybody else but the US fans have for the underdog. Japan was the least favorite, the smallest team, and a team that somehow survived the extra-time with a goal from a corner kick. Not many saw that coming, particularly when playing against Team USA defenders who where sometimes 6-7 inches taller. It was just mean to be. Japan really needed this win, somewhat of a spiritual and emotional uplift for a country that has suffered so much in the last year.

Charismatic Japanese coach Norio Sasaki said Saturday that he hoped the soccer gods would help him end a personal five-match losing streak against the U.S. That was a tall order for the soccer gods, particularly because we all know how picky and extravagant they can be when they want to (Ask Brazil and Argentina in the Copa America if you have any doubts).

The bottom line is that Norio Sasaki did what he had to and he gods the soccer deities on his side. Japan was a briliant team keeping their cool as the U.S. dominated in a scoreless opening half. The Americans would then go up not once but twice, only to see Japan come back to equalize against a U.S team it had never defeated in 25 attempts. Yes, 25 attempts; none as important as this one, none as significant. If Japan had to win one game, its first game against the US, it had to be this one.

The interesting side of this story is that Team USA had been in Japan’s shoes for much of this tournament. The U.S. was outplayed for large intervals against Brazil, and also against France, yet found a way to triumph and make it into the World Cup finals. The roles were reversed on Sunday. Overall, the U.S. had 31 shots on goal compared to Japans 17. Not that great in the penalty shootouts. Japan had the last word.

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