Japan reaches Women's World Cup final after England injury time own goal

Another US vs Japan final ! ! !

Congratulations to Japan – they’ve won all six of their matches in normal time, and are a truly top side. But they didn’t really excel tonight, and England pushed them really hard. And to lose like that at the end. So cruel. OUCH.

Laura Bassett will be in the news for weeks to come in the UK. Well done nihonko.

I haven't seen the match but looking at the numbers, the lionesses were playing it rough with so many fouls

Bassett’s attempted sliding clearance from a low cross, crashed off the underside of the bar and over the goal-line

In plain English: She kicked the ball into her own net.

PK and own goal... but Japan advances to the final...

still what a poor way of winning

YATTA!!!

It's gonna be a great match on Sunday, that's for sure.

My heart really goes out to Laura Basset, Japan got a bit lucky this time around. I look for a very exciting game in the championship match, with the Nadeshiko making it two in a row ! GANBARRE, NADESHIKO ! ! !

Well done Japan. I think England should be proud for going so far.

Go on and win it Japan.

Congrats for the win, but what an awful way to bow out!!!!!

As predicted, U.S. Vs. Japan in the final. USWNT will win the championship, Japan #2, and Germany #3. The Brits have a good run but not in the top three with heart breaking in days to come.

Gonna be a very exciting match sunday. Anyone know what time (Japan) they have to play?

Oh the Agony of Defeat!! The poor girl was crying her heart out.

Laura Bassett will be in the news for weeks to come in the UK. Well done nihonko.

LoL. More like, Well done Laura Bassett.

@Bgood: It's not 'the Brits' it's The Engs.

@papiguilio Monday, July 6, 5 a.m. JST.

'LoL. More like, Well done Laura Bassett.'

Oh, grow up.

Good job, Nadeshiko girls! That was a tough fight, and England really brought it to them. It looks like we have another US and Japan final repeat. Can't wait.

Can't help but feel for Bassett. She must be feeling like hell after that accidental own goal. As they say, crap happens.

Sorry guys ! Monday about 7:45 a.m.. In Vancouver. Ganbarre, Nadeshiko !

Wow, poor English player! They better put her on suicide watch!!! But, all is fair in love and football! That sets the stage for a Japan vs USA world cup final!! But, so sorry Japan, its never going to happen on America's birthday weekend!!! ;-)

England has only itself to blame, and Japan has them to thank. Good job, Japan. US vs. Japan final again I hope there's no PK overtime.

I think the legendary Jimmy Greaves once mused to Ian St John, 'It's a funny old game', well it was no laughing matter for Laura Basset scoring the winning goal for the wrong side.

We all mess up, stiffen that upper lip, head up, and take it on the chin, we are all have that Stuart Pearce moment sooner or later.

Bassett’s attempted sliding clearance from a low cross, crashed off the underside of the bar and over the goal-line

England was the birth place of football or soccer history. It is so embarrassing for English Women team shot the own goal. They are no longer lioness. They have become prey for hunters.

Oh England. My heart breaks for you and Laura Bassett. You didn't deserve to lose like that after playing admirably for 92+. I hope England harness the frustration and disappointment they must be feeling after this loss and throw everything they've got at Germany for a third place finish. I also hope this messes with Nadeshiko Japan's head on Sunday that they're in the final thanks to an own goal after having squeaked through to the semis despite starting in the easiest group. This is USA's year.

papigiulioJUL. 02, 2015 - 10:30AM JST Gonna be a very exciting match sunday. Anyone know what time (Japan) they have to play?

On the WC website it says 8:00 am Monday in Canada and 4 pm Sunday in Japan.

I think I'll watch it.

Speed

The third place decider kicks off at 0500 JST on Sunday. The USA-JPN final kicks off at 0800 JST on Monday.

The English fought hard and deserved a better ending than this! Now its the the big one the U.S. vs Japan! The rematch I've been waiting for! Go U.S.A!

I suppose I'll have to turn the sound down for the final to get away from the shrieks of delirious Japanese commentators whenever Japan gets in the final third and irritating, mindless chants of 'USA!' assaulting my ears like in the Germany game ( I wonder if we'll get the big number one foam fingers ). International football often brings out the worst in people.

USNinJapan2JUL. 02, 2015 - 11:11AM JST Speed The third place decider kicks off at 0500 JST on Sunday. The USA-JPN final kicks off at 0800 JST on Monday.

Oops. I stand corrected. Sorry -> 800 am on Monday in Japan. Thanks, USNinjapan.

I think I'll still watch it.

I watched the game and can say Japan controlled the ball better..the British were very rough and not too precise. The Japanese were great stealing balls and played fearless....The best won, regardless..I can't wait for the final game!

ticaileana, Britain wasn't playing!

Ah, still not as bad as Rob Green letting that ball through in the England v. USA match in 2010.

England deserved far better. But the #1 abd #2 teams have made it to the final, so Sunday should be an exciting match. Go USA!.

Wonderful! I'm elated. A big win and many heart filled congratulations for Nadeshiko Japan. But the final game with Team USA is probably going to be a real tough game.

Japan vs the US then. Will history repeat itself? Or...........

Congrats to the Japanese women's team. It must really sting to know that the Japanese women's team is much more successful than the men's team.

The second penalty should never have been given, Houghton dived and should have been booked. Still, well-done Japan.

Well done!

Leave it to the English --men or women-- to lose in the most heart-breaking way as possible.

It'd be a fired up final. US prefer the familiar foe and a chance for revenge.

Poor girl, hope she can redeem herself and the team in a near future. Beating Germany for the 3rd place is a great achievement. The second goal was a dive, but that's football. The British girls made a great job. But the Japanese girls are top of the tops. Can't miss USA x Japan!!!

Both penalties should not have been awarded. The first was of minimal of minimal contact and occured outside the penalty area so shouldn't have been a PK. The 2nd was a clumsy fall in the least or a dive at worst. No PK.

And the own goal was astonishing. Good luck to Nadeshiko, but to give credit where it's due, England's shooting decisiveness was greater and could easily have been rewarded with 3 goals.

But that's soccer and while it can be an exciting game to watch, no other sport can beat it for sure frustration.

And just an offside - I just watched the highlights commentated by 2 British(a man & women - don't know who) and the commentary was so refeshingly different. Both were knowledgable about ALL players, applauded the skills on both sides and didn't hesitate to say negatives when due - eg the women called the England penalty free a dive. A local commentator would NEVER say that. I wish the locals could skill up when commentating World Sports.

'And just an offside - I just watched the highlights commentated by 2 British(a man & women - don't know who) and the commentary was so refeshingly different. Both were knowledgable about ALL players, applauded the skills on both sides and didn't hesitate to say negatives when due - eg the women called the England penalty free a dive. A local commentator would NEVER say that. I wish the locals could skill up when commentating World Sports.'

Fine words. The commentary descends into a fire in a pet shop whenever Japan is on the attack. I'm sure you'll join me on the mute button in a few days. Just childish.

Despite the colour of my passport, I wanted Japan to win so I'm feeling a little bit like a traitor right now. Apologies, Your Majesty!

Still, the trumphalism on the TV is pretty unbearable. Takes the fun out of the win : (

I just read in The Guardian that the Japanese coach made some derisive comments about England AFTER the game, his words like "...I don't know how England has reached so far...". Can you believe that? It seems that the way of football (speak before thinking) has reached Japan - which is a good thing for Japan IMO. This sort of comment clearly shows that Japan finally sees itself as powerhouse in the football world and not an exotic intruder in the kingdom of European/American teams.

a win is a win, but i don't think nadeshiko japan should be proud of theirs. they did not look impressive at all during the match. out of sync and very little spark. here's hoping for a good US/Japan match. Might skip work in the morning to catch it.

@Lost

I think you mis-read it. The article says:

“There are places where England fall unintentionally apart,” said Japan’s coach, somewhat sniffily, shortly before kick off. “I wonder how they have been so successful so far?”

Still, the trumphalism on the TV is pretty unbearable. Takes the fun out of the win : (

Ah, let 'em have it, it's not like the men have much to crow about!

@LostinNagoya

the Japanese coach made some derisive comments about England AFTER the game, his words like "...I don't know how England has reached so far...".

I think it's misunderstanding or mistranslation. Mr. Sasaki is not that kind of person. And his son in law is British.

This sort of comment clearly shows that Japan finally sees itself as powerhouse in the football world

No, they don't. If you can hear or read Japanese people's comments you'll see.

an exotic intruder in the kingdom of European/American teams.

Who is making derisive comments?

@Lucabrasi: yes, I stand corrected. Anyway, surprising words.

I have just watched the whole game on SporTV, and it's clear that England deserved more. They were way superior than the Japanese in the second half.

England really deserved to suffer a humiliating goal. I was at the game and their defense consisted largely of big two armed pushes on the backs of the more skilled Japanese side. England tried to make up for their lack of grace by being bullies and the ref let them get away with it all game.

@Tessa

Ah, let 'em have it, it's not like the men have much to crow about!

True. Unfortunately true for England, too.... ; (

There is no such thing as "deserved to win", "deserved better"... You win or you lose. It's that simple.

Us Aussies like to get stuck into the Poms & vice versa but its very hard for me not to feel sorry for poor Laura. You could see what she was doing, just wanted to clear the cross out of the park to stop it reaching the Japanese attacker, but with fatigue setting in late in the game the chances for a miss hit on the ball increases, & it happened to her. We've all had moments where we've wanted to disappear up our own backside, I hope she gets over it soon.

As for US v Japan. The US have been pretty good most of the WWC, the 1st half against Aus was probably the only time they looked out of sorts.

Japan have said consistently after their games that they are capable of more, then the next game rolls around & they control the game but produce much of the same intensity & effort as before. So the question is does Japan have a few gears to go up as they say or is that just BS & they're actually already at their limit. If its the former good night US, if its the latter the US will roll them.

As a neutral I'm looking forward to watching this game no matter what way it ends. May the best team win.

Having followed the game 'live' via the internet this morning, I was hoping to watch the news and see the highlights this evening. So far, all I have seen is the actual penaly kick by Japan and the own goal - how many times?? One channel has been showing that incident from no less than 8 different angles. You only need one to know it was an own goal. I would say I've seen it 30-40 times in the last hour. I've now switched to BBC and CNN hoping to see a bit more.

Great job, ladies! The championship match should be exciting.

I have just watched the whole game on SporTV, and it's clear that England deserved more. They were way superior than the Japanese in the second half.

Futbol happens. Some say the French outplayed the Germans; yet the French are out.

'I think it's misunderstanding or mistranslation. Mr. Sasaki is not that kind of person. And his son in law is British.'

A hell of a lot of mistranslation or misunderstanding often seems to go on whenever a Japanese public figure makes a questionable statement. Funny that.

It was a great game and to be HONEST Japan would have settle for trying to win the game on KICKS rather than playing the over time. I think England out played Japan but mistakes killed England, what a sad and bad way to go out.

@Jimizo

A hell of a lot of mistranslation or misunderstanding often seems to go on whenever a Japanese public figure makes a questionable statement. Funny that.

You shouldn't pick some part of his sentence and criticize him. You don't know the whole context. I notice many English media do such things particularly regarding Japan.

PK and own goal... but Japan advances to the final... still what a poor way of winning

PK and own goal...England loses...what a poor way of losing.

True. Unfortunately true for England, too.... ; (

Although I agree with you, I have to tell you that in recent years many Japanese women have confided in me that they are not attracted at all to Japanese men, that they fully intend to marry foreign men, and that one of the (many) reasons is that Japanese men are "no good at sports." The Samurai could've saved this nation!

Ah, let 'em have it, it's not like the men have much to crow about!

So true Tessa. They couldn't even bag Singapore . . . On japanese turf too.

I am glad that Japan won. But I feel so sorry for that English player. Her own goal will haunt her for the rest of her life. It was a shame to see a terrific match end that way.

I have watched Japan team since WC 2011. Japan deserves to win. All teams going to WC play to win. They think of "win, win, win". Japan team focuses on playing the game. Winning is just an outcome. That mentality help Japan team keeping calm and resilient under any pressure, no matter how tough their opponents are. Moreover, Japan team can generate very dangerous attacks at the right moments. That's one of the keys for Japan's victory.

This coming Sunday game against the US will be the toughest game in this WC for JP. The US plays at a very fast pace. The US players have high speed and physically strong. Its defense system is the best. It will be a challenge for Japan.

Can't wait to see.

Good luck, Japan team!

Sad to read about England crashing and burning the way they did.

However, the Japanese ladies now will be playing for all the marbles against a squad that has not allowed any team to score a single point against them during the Sweet 16. Plus, the final game will be played during the U.S. Independence Day weekend; the time of the year when our patriotism is at a fever pitch.

Good luck, Japan. You will need it.

My friend who though japan was going to get knocked out from the quarter final is still surprised how i knew japan would go all the way to the final. and i also say that japan will win the women's world cup for the second time

US vs Japan. This is better than US vs Japan 70th anniversary. Sports is better than war.

Both penalties were penalties.

You can download the video of the highlights from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bzqy_viVJss&feature=player_embedded

With regard to the first penalty, at about 0:21 the last two frames before the defender raises her hands (in mock innocence presumably), suggest strongly to me that the defender still had her hand on the attacker's back when the attacker had passed well into the airspace of the penalty area. So while the foul was initiated outside the penalty area it continued into its airspace. I don't think that the issue of whether the attacker's feet touched the ground inside the penalty area or not is at issue. Compare for instance the rule about goal keepers handling a ball outside the airspace of the penalty area -- it is a foul even if the ball is outside the penalty area, even if the goal keepers feet are inside the area. "Inside" and "outside the penalty area" are defined according to physical position including airspace, not depending upon the position of the feet. In other words this foul continued into the penalty area.

Similarly at the other end, you can see that the English attackers boot is down at the heel at about the :53 - 0:54 mark in the same video presumably due to it have been clipped by the Japanese defender.

While both penalties were penalties, the first one was a clear and deliberate prevention of a goal scoring opportunity which should have resulted in the English defender being sent off. I guess that the referee judged that the attacker may not have been able to control the ball so was not robbed of an "opportunity." The Japanese foul may also have been similarly deliberate but the way in which the Japanese defender is lining up for a shot at ball after fouling (i.e. the fall seems to come as unexpected) suggests not.

I think that the Japanese dominated for most of the game. The English relied on long balls. The Japanese "geometry obsession" depends on practice and fitness, which the Japanese seem to have a lot more of. It is good that they are being underestimated. Both teams see it as a revenge match, the Americans for the last world cup. The Japanese for the Olympics when it was their turn to leave the pitch in tears. This one is the decider.

I hope the Japanese surprise on Monday, on NHK BS1 and a Fuji network channel near you, morning at 7am (pre match waffle) 8am kickoff.

timtak - interesting points - however there are those far-more-learned-than-me in the intricacies of soccer rules, who hold differing opinions to yours. As you stated "... suggest strongly to me......" is just that - a feeling or hunch. When I viewed the incident (with the benefit of slo-mo replay) the penalty clearly occured outside the area. Whether or not any action or motion was maintained into the penalty area cannot be decided. Only the initial act outside the area is definitive.

But this is all rather picking at nits. Soccer is inherently a game decided more on by luck than perhaps any other major competitive sport. So many try to play up results to compliment themselves ( understandably so - they have players, fans, sponsors, clubs, countries etc) but in reality Luck is a Really Big Factor. Banal comments like "we really wanted to win" or "it was our goal to be successful" or "we were determined" etc etc etc can only be made presuming the other team didn't have such thoughts. Which of course would be incorrect.

Nothing wrong with admitting a dose of fortuitousness gifted a win, but many can't acknowledge it. Esp the Japanese manager who said the own goal wasn't an own goal because we created the play to put the ball in that situation. Sorry it was an own goal - 100%. Bad luck for the English, Good luck for the Japanese. Simple.

How could I get down voted. Is there someone who thinks that war is better than sports?

Against any other team I would go for Japan but, I gotta support home. USA!! USA!! USA!!

Classy Americans...not! http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/usa/11720045/Internet-reaches-peak-stupid-as-USA-fans-compare-football-win-to-attack-on-Pearl-Harbor.html