soccer

'Bring it on' - U.S. women relish facing Japan in World Cup final

46 Comments

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46 Comments
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Sweep the legs.

2 ( +8 / -6 )

US, ladies, you got this!

-2 ( +10 / -12 )

Go get 'em! Happy Fourth of July weekend for the U.S.!!

0 ( +9 / -9 )

It's an honor just to be in the finals and I hope Nadeshiko Japan wins the championship. But Team USA looks ready and this is really going to be a tough game for Nadeshiko Japan. In the end the best team will win. I wish both teams all the best of luck for a great championship game with good sportsmanship.

10 ( +14 / -4 )

As an American from Seattle, I hope the USA wins, but as an American enjoying my life in Japan I hope the Japanese team does well too. I watched the 2011 game in Seattle and thought the Americans played better than the Japanese, but they still lost. I hope it's a quality game with no officiating blunders. These are two quality teams with professional quality players. It should be exciting.

5 ( +11 / -6 )

Good Luck, Japan!

Go Japan! Gambare, Nippon! Gambare Nadeshiko Japan!

From USA with Love!

0 ( +8 / -8 )

Team USA has not allowed a single point against them during the Final 16 phase of this tourney. Look for more of the same this Independence Day weekend.

-4 ( +4 / -8 )

'Team USA has not allowed a single point against them during the Final 16 phase of this tourney.'

It's always refreshing to hear from people with a good knowledge of the game enjoying the football without silly jingoistic drum-banging.

1 ( +5 / -4 )

Why are English members here giving thumbs down to U.S. fans if your team just lost to Japan? Wouldn't you want U.S. To win?

-2 ( +8 / -10 )

Why are English members here giving thumbs down to U.S. fans if your team just lost to Japan?

How do you know who's giving thumbs down to whom? Are you a moderator?

2 ( +8 / -6 )

Why are English members here giving thumbs down to U.S. fans if your team just lost to Japan? Wouldn't you want U.S. To win?

Why? This is Japan Today, it's likely most non-American posters have stronger ties to Japan than to America. With England out of the running, why not root for Japan with the rest of the family?

0 ( +10 / -10 )

Why are English members here giving thumbs down to U.S. fans if your team just lost to Japan? Wouldn't you want U.S. To win?

You're assuming they really ARE English... we really don't know what nationality they are unless they tell us. But for the people who were rooting for England in the tournament, it's natural to then root for the team that beat England because then you could say, "They beat us and they beat USA, so we really tied for second with USA."

0 ( +6 / -6 )

'Why are English members here giving thumbs down to U.S. fans if your team just lost to Japan? Wouldn't you want U.S. To win?'

You must have a low opinion of English people. You seem to think they have a very childish mindset. I'm no patriot but even I find that disappointing.

0 ( +6 / -6 )

Japan were poor yesterday, the US should have them.

1 ( +5 / -4 )

"Japan were poor yesterday, the US should have them."

I think you are on to something. The last time they met Japan was peaking and the US was playing just well enough. Now the opposite seems to be the case.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Personally I'm banking on a win for Team Japan, and I'm not even bothering to prepare proper lesson plans for my classes next week. Heck, they probably won't even notice if I'm there or not! Go Nadeshiko!

0 ( +5 / -5 )

I like both teams - actually I like all women's teams, they play with grace and a desire to win that I'd like to see in men's tournaments. That said, this time I will root for USA - for the great job they're doing to the sport world by taking FIFA with a macho stance. Also, Japan got it last time. American girls getting the Cup this time will make soccer ever more popular in USA. It will be great for soccer when USA become a major force, which given their infrastructure will happen soon.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

The last time these two teams met and japan won, i felt really happy for them. After the earthquake/ tsunami japan needed some kind of spiritual lift.

This game though, hope the americans take no prisoners.

0 ( +4 / -4 )

As predicted, the final showdown between "The Redeemer" Vs. "The Amazing players" is here this weekend. The prophetic prediction called fro U.S #1, Japan #2, and Germany #3. In spite of FIFA scandals, women soccer games have plenty reasons to cheer for. They raise a notch higher in showing how women can be the best as can be. S. America teams make tremendous progress, the power house of Europe are very competitive, The English and few former British commonwealth teams are striving and yet nothing to show for yet. It would be great to see some Muslim women teams in the mix with free spirit to compete as other nations!

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

In my opinion, Japanese players are physically small, not well organized and not running fast. Unless Japan will be rewarded with penalties or US girls will shoot own goal, there is very little chance that Japan will get trophy.

US has never used their best strikers until almost end of the game. They want to preserve the strength and fitness of goal winning legs. It has been paid off with Germany. Wise and Patient Cobra will wait for the precision attack until prey has been exhausted.

It will be miracle for Japan winning the women football world cup in 2015.

-4 ( +2 / -6 )

Love the hype....Bring it on, come at me sis, give it, don't sing it.... Only caught the highlights of the USA/Germany match, don't under estimate the Footy yamabushi spirit of the Nadeshiko.......

0 ( +1 / -1 )

How is Germany #1 anyway? Its always US-Japan in the final so its ridiculous they aren't 1 & 2. Japan gets 2 to two major finals beating Germany and France in the process and somehow they are behind them both in the ranking. These teams get to many points for beating other mediocre European teams.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Yes!! Husband (Japanese) and me (American) will have fun watching this^^

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Hi therougou, Might not set your mind at rest but at least explains the methodology behind the FiFa points ranking system....

http://www.fifa.com/fifa-world-ranking/ranking-table/women/

http://www.fifa.com/fifa-world-ranking/procedure/women.html

0 ( +0 / -0 )

JimizoJul. 03, 2015 - 09:30AM JST

'Team USA has not allowed a single point against them during the Final 16 phase of this tourney.'

It's always refreshing to hear from people with a good knowledge of the game enjoying the football without silly jingoistic drum-banging.

geeze. get a life. rooting for your country in a football game is hardly jingoistic.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

I love both teams. The US team plays a "football" style with emphasize on physical strength, strong hit and lighting speed. Japan plays a "yoga" style with emphasize on calmness and collaborative teamwork. Both teams have all good technical skillful players on both defensive and offensive lines.

It will be a must-see game on this Sunday.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Good luck Japan !! I hope that you are able to go all of the way. I know that all of the Japanese people are proud of you ;-)

1 ( +3 / -2 )

"The United States is 24-1-6 against Japan. "

I have 5,000 yen on the United States.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Aust Victoria TAB odds for the winner, US 3/10, Japan 2/1. Given the knowledgeable soccer comments here, sounds like Japan is a big over.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

'Good luck Japan !! I hope that you are able to go all of the way. I know that all of the Japanese people are proud of you ;-)'

For what reason would a comment like that get thumbed down?

0 ( +2 / -2 )

LostinNagoya,

I thought you were Brazilian (that's what you've said in other posts).

So, where is this SOCCER bullcrap coming from someone who should call the game FUTEBOL???

And in terms of grace and finess, Japan is the best team, whether some sucker experts like it or not.

They are not called the Barcelona of women's football because "they are small, weak and disorganised", as one of our "experts" stated a few posts above.

This same "small, weak and disorganised" bunch is STILL the reigning World Champion

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

Win or lose . I guarantee after the final , one or two japaneses players will retire from the game . I hope Japan win but it's the American birthday weekend . With all the corruption with FIFA at the moment I'm betting a 2/1 win to the usa . Penalty In the last 10 mins with give usa the win . Saying that I still would like Japan to win but I can't see it happening .

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I will be barracking for Japan... after all, it's my home :)

1 ( +1 / -0 )

@JimizoJul. 03, 2015 - 08:23PM JST

'Good luck Japan !! I hope that you are able to go all of the way. I know that all of the Japanese people are proud of you ;-)'

For what reason would a comment like that get thumbed down?

I gave it thumbs-up, Jimizo, to take care of that. And as a Canadian former player and coach of the game, disappointed as I am my country's team isn't in the finals, my adopted country - Japan - is. I will be in the stands, watching and critical of all aspects of the game, but my heart will beat for Japan. Let's hope, eh?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

This could be an interesting final given the American team has been playing very well and the Japanese are defending champions. There's going to be a lot of Japanese watching the final at 8 am JST (I think!) on Monday, July 6, 2015.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I'm American but it's so hard to root against the Japanese women.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

@Homotenashi

Don't root against the Japanese women, just root for the American women!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Why? This is Japan Today, it's likely most non-American posters have stronger ties to Japan than to America. With England out of the running, why not root for Japan with the rest of the family?

So what happens to those that don't have a strong tie to Japan and are non-American?? Jus' saying'....

I love both teams. The US team plays a "football" style with emphasize on physical strength, strong hit and lighting speed. Japan plays a "yoga" style with emphasize on calmness and collaborative teamwork. Both teams have all good technical skillful players on both defensive and offensive lines.

I agree! Sad that the game will be on Monday, gotta work. :-( But I'll keep my phone alerts on!

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Bass, when you read first take a nice deep breath and try to pay attention to little words like likely and most. It might help your comprehension and prevent you writing meaningless, irrelevant replies.

Non-Americans with no strong ties to Japan can surely root for whoever they want?

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

I'm rootin' for both. It will be a great match! May the best team win.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

when you read first take a nice deep breath and try to pay attention to little words like likely and most. It might help your comprehension and prevent you writing meaningless, irrelevant replies.

Being condescending again? Yawn, Ok, so because YOU think they're irrelevant?

Non-Americans with no strong ties to Japan can surely root for whoever they want?

My point being, perhaps the stronger team which was the US for the longest time FIFA ranking number one, but dropped to Number 2 since 2014. But looking at the odds, I say, root for the possible stronger team. I wish Japan all the luck though. ;-)

0 ( +2 / -2 )

'Being condescending again? Yawn, Ok, so because YOU think they're irrelevant?'

Not just Cleo, Bass. You do tend to dash off a reply without reading the comment.

'So what happens to those that don't have a strong tie to Japan and are non-American?? Jus' saying'....'

It is possible to watch a sports match without getting partisan. I'm a football fan - I love the game. Enjoy the spectacle. May the best side win.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Not just Cleo, Bass. You do tend to dash off a reply without reading the comment.

No, I did read, I was just interjecting which meant, I as adding to the original statement or are you saying it's illegal to do so?

It is possible to watch a sports match without getting partisan. I'm a football fan - I love the game. Enjoy the spectacle. May the best side win.

Hey, it was a joke. Come on, of course, I'm for the US, but you have to be a fool to discount or disregard Japan as being an irrelevant team. I give credit where credit is due. If Japan wins, so be it both play well and both deserve to win.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

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