Japan Beats U.S. in Thrilling Women's World Cup Final
Players of Japan celebrates after winning the FIFA Womens's World Cup Final at FIFA Word Cup stadium on July 17, 2011 in Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
Thank you, ladies of Japan and the United States. Thanks to you, the next time someone whines about the lack of excitement in soccer, we get to punch that person in the face.
No matter what side you were rooting for, no matter your preconceived notions about what the rest of the world has long embraced as the beautiful game, the women's World Cup final between Japan and the United States, which the Japanese won on penalty kicks after a 2-2 deadlock, had your heart fluttering. Or your vocal chords stretching. Or your hands clutching your hair, your mouth wide-open, your facial expression asking everyone around you: "can you believe this?"
The beauty of soccer, thousands of Americans learned yesterday, actually lies in the scarcity of scoring chances. Every shot becomes a breathtaking event, and if you've got a golden opportunity, you'd better convert. The U.S. dominated the ball against Japan, and was undoubtedly the more talented team. But they blew too many scoring chances - the U.S. outshot Japan, 27-14 - and let the nonplussed Japanese hang around. So the U.S. returns home bitterly disappointed, still without a World Cup title since the glory days of 1999.
The "shoulda-couldas" started early in the game. In the 8th minute, for example, midfielder Megan Rapinoe, a super-sub the last few games who got the starting nod against Japan, crossed the ball to Lauren Cheney, who was streaking towards the near post. This time, she couldn't convert.
Winning Goal
Japan's Saki Kumagai scores the winning penalty against the U.S. during the penalty shootout of the Women's World Cup final in Frankfurt July 17, 2011.
Denied
Japan's goalkeeper Ayumi Kaihori makes a save during the penalty shootout against the U.S.
Japan's goalkeeper Ayumi Kaihori makes a save during the penalty shootout against the U.S.
UpendedUSA's defender Rachel Buehler and Japan's midfielder Nahomi Kawasumi vie for the ball during the FIFA Women's Football World Cup final match Japan vs USA on July 17, 2011 in Frankfurt am Main, western Germany.
On the Pitch
Japan's midfielder Homare Sawa kicks past USA midfielder Carli Lloyd during the FIFA Women's Football World Cup final.
Japan's midfielder Homare Sawa kicks past USA midfielder Carli Lloyd during the FIFA Women's Football World Cup final.
Two on OneJapan's Mizuho Sakaguchi, center, competes for the ball with United States' Megan Rapinoe, left, and United States' Carli Lloyd during the final match between Japan and the United States at the Women's Soccer World Cup in Frankfurt, Germany.
