Japan look to end U.S. hoodoo in women's soccer semis

Monday 18th August, 07:32 AM JST

BEIJING —

Japan will be looking to end their hoodoo against defending champions the United States and secure a first-ever Olympic women’s soccer medal with victory in the semifinals at the Beijing Games on Monday. Japan have yet to beat the Americans in 20 meetings and are still smarting from a 1-0 defeat in the group phase that left Norio Sasaki’s side needing to beat Sydney Games gold medalists Norway in their final match to advance to the knockout stage. Sasaki’s ‘‘Nadeshiko Japan’’ got the job done and hammered the Norwegians 5-1 to go through to the quarterfinals before a comfortable 2-0 win over hosts China on Friday put them within one win of a podium finish. ‘‘We have lost to the United States in this tournament but as soon as that match was over we wanted to play them again,’’ said coach Sasaki. ‘‘We have been preparing to face them one more time and we have been improving as the tournament has progressed.’’ ‘‘Beating them for the first time will mean that we win a medal. That is what we came here for and I believe my players will get the result we want.’’

Victory would also give Japan its first soccer medal since the men’s team won bronze at the 1968 Mexico Olympics under coach Ken Naganuma, who died in June. ‘‘Naganuma-san passed away this year. I feel there is a connection. I want that to bring out the power for us to do whatever we can to get a medal,’’ said Sasaki. Although the Americans are the strong favorites to go through to the final, veteran midfielder Homare Sawa was also confident Japan could finally end their jinx and also avenge a 2-1 defeat to them in the quarterfinals of the Athens Games. ‘‘It is so frustrating losing to America and we want to get revenge for Athens in Beijing,’’ said Sawa. ‘‘I get the feeling we won’t lose this time. We want to win and go to the final.’’ The Americans needed extra time to see off Canada 2-1 in a storm-interrupted quarterfinal and defender Kate Markgraf was expecting another tough encounter against the Japanese. ‘‘It’s definitely an amazing Japan team,’’ said Markgraf. ‘‘They have so many numbers going forward that you really don’t know where they are going. I thought they were actually a better attacking team than Norway.’’

Kyodo

10 Comments

USNinJapan2 at 08:19 AM JST - 18th August

Hoodoo? Boy that's one you don't here everyday...
fatloser at 11:56 AM JST - 18th August

It ain't used right----to bewitch or bring bad luck to---Japan looks to hoodoo U.S. woman's soccer.........YEAH, It sounds right now!!
Altria at 01:26 PM JST - 18th August

Much more exciting to watch than the mens team - they actually try and get goals.

Go Japan!
terebiko at 02:03 PM JST - 18th August

I'm glad I've been watching the women's team instead of the men's team. It looks like it will be a good one, and Japan really has a chance to win. After Japan's last two victories, they look to be the team to beat. The U.S. has had injury problems, and just aren't playing up to the level they used to play at.
As I said, looking forward to the game. Wish NHK would show some basketball, but I guess that's asking too much, since Japan isn't represented....
TheCode at 08:28 PM JST - 18th August

I'm also looking forward to this game. Japan really seems to have the momentum, and the women do have more technical skills and an attacking mindset than their male counterparts. It is true that the Americans beat them by one goal in their preliminary match, but I'm sure that Japan will be better prepared. Also, from what I hear from reports in the U.S. media, they are already looking past Japan, since one source was quoted as saying:

"Japan is a fast-emerging unit and was impressive in its 2-0 quarterfinal win over China. But the Japanese do not have the firepower to seriously trouble the U.S., which should advance to the gold medal game without much difficulty.

But then comes the real test in Germany or Brazil, opponents which no longer have any trepidation about facing the once mighty Americans."

There is also the fact that Norway beat the U.S. 2-0, and Japan in turn demolished Norway 5-1.

So, it should be an interesting match.
smithinjapan at 11:21 PM JST - 18th August

It's hilarious watching the Japanese women put the men to shame! The Japanese women actually TRY when their on the offensive, and SCORED A GOAL! What's more, they're threatening constantly to score more. The men? hahahaha.

Anyway, it's been a pretty exciting game so far.
pathat at 11:54 PM JST - 18th August

Congratulations to the U.S. women on easily defeating Japan, 4-2.

Even without their best player, Abby Wambach, the U.S. clearly had the best athletes and the best technique.

Good luck in going for the gold medal!
pathat at 01:02 AM JST - 19th August

Congratulations are also in order to the U.S. men in volleyball for defeating Japan easily in straight sets.

The U.S. showed superior skill and athleticism. Great job!
okapake at 07:07 AM JST - 19th August

Hoodoo didn't work! Still gotcha Nippon. Talking all about victory BEFORE the match. What arrogance and then what a put down on mighty nippon.
boobug at 10:18 PM JST - 19th August

pathat is correct.

"Congratulations to the U.S. women on easily defeating Japan, 4-2. Even without their best player, Abby Wambach, the U.S. clearly had the best athletes and the best technique."

The American women have always dominated this European sport. It's good to see that once again, even shorthanded, that their depth and knowledge of the sport have propelled them into the finals. I'd love to see them beat Brazil but good. I don't expect a victory, but it would be a nice surprise. Go USA !