なでしこ、アメリカとの激闘をペナルティシュートアウトで制し、世界の頂点へ！！

FIFA Women's World Cup Germany 2011 Fainal Japan 2-2 a.e.t (3-1 PSO) USA @ Arena Im Allerpark Wolfsburg
Japan:Aya Miyama 81,Homare Sawa 117,Azusa Iwashimizu 120+1(Send Off)
USA:Alex Morgan 69,Abby Wambach 104
PSO
USA:Shannon Boxx × Carli Lloyd × Tobin Heath × Abby Wambach ○
Japan:Aya Miyama ○ Yūki Nagasato × Mizuho Sakaguchi ○ Saki Kumagai ○

Japan 21/10 Draw 23/10 USA EVS(William Hill)





日本はブルーサムライのファーストジャージ。システムは4-4-2。



アメリカは白一色のファーストジャージ。システムは4-4-2。



Japan edge USA for maiden title(FIFA.com)

Japan are FIFA Women’s World Cup™ champions for the first time after a penalty shootout victory over USA, following a drama-charged 2-2 draw in Frankfurt.

Defender Saki Kumagai had the honour of hitting home the decisive spot kick as Japan triumphed 3-1 in the shootout. USA were twice pegged back but it took a Homare Sawa to equaliser three minutes from the end of extra time to force penalties.

USA created numerous goalscoring opportunities throughout the match but Aya Miyama’s goal nine minutes from the end of the 90 minutes forced extra time, after Alex Morgan had given the Stars and Stripes the lead on 69 minutes. Abby Wambach seemed set to have scored the winner on 104 minutes until Sawa’s late intervention.

The tone was set for a strong USA performance with the two-time world champions showing their intent from the opening whistle. Lauren Cheney forced a save from Ayumi Kaihori with a shot from a highly acute angle, after the forward had outmuscled Azusa Iwashimizu just 25 second into the contest.

On eight minutes, Megan Rapinoe found some space on the left and her excellent near post ball was turned just wide by Cheney. Barely a minute later Abby Wambach fired a shot over as USA maintained their bright start.

Carli Lloyd could then easily have opened the scoring when Japan were unable to deal with Wambach’s presence under a high early cross into the penalty area. The ball fell kindly for the midfielder but she blazed narrowly over the crossbar from 15 metres.

Rapinoe then pushed the ball wide at the near post in a move reminiscent of Cheney’s effort a few minutes earlier.

Unlike recent matches, Japan were struggling to maintain any possession in the midfield. USA kept up their attacking raids as the lively Rapinoe burst into the area on the left and blazed a shot against the outside of Kaihori’s post.

The match started to settle by the midway point of the opening half, and Japan finally had their first shot of note on 22 minutes, however Shinobu Ohno’s strike was wayward.

The moment of the first half came on 29 minutes as Wambach, USA’s all-time top FIFA Women’s World Cup goalscorer, hit a stunning shot from close to the corner of the penalty area which rattled the underside of the crossbar and away to safety, with Kaihori well beaten.

Japan finally displayed some of their semi-final form just past the half hour mark as Ohno threaded a pass behind the defence, but Kozue Ando was unable to get power on her effort from a good shooting position.

Cheney then pushed a looping header onto the roof of the net after a long ball deceived a static Japan backline.


USA commenced the second half in much the same way they did the first. Just four minutes after the interval Heather O’Reilly crossed from the right and Alex Morgan, who came on for Cheney during the break, pushed her near post effort against the post.

O’Reilly then blasted a shot against the side-netting from distance, while Wambach skied a good opportunity after being set free by a delightful Rapinoe ball.

Just the past hour mark Sawa, enjoying a rare moment of time on the ball in the attacking third, threaded a smart pass for Yukari Kinga but the defender’s shot was well wide.

Minutes later Wambach’s smart header forced an excellent save from Kaihori as USA pushed ever closer to an opener.

Finally USA secured reward for their dominance with the opening goal on 69 minutes as Morgan broke the deadlock with her second of the tournament. A quick counter attack saw Rapinoe play an excellent ball through for Morgan to use her strength to hold off a defender, before hitting a perfect finish past Kaihori. The 22-year-old Morgan again proving herself as a player for the big occasion, having hit the winner for USA against Korea DPR in the final of the 2008 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup.

Japan equalised somewhat against the run of play 12 minutes later as a cross from the right caused chaos in the USA defence, with Aya Miyama taking full advantage to push the ball past Hope Solo from close range.

The match was end-to-end in the remaining minutes with Kinga and O’Reilly both firing good efforts in on goal without being able to break the deadlock.

For the fourth time in six FIFA Women’s World Cup Finals, 90 minutes proved not enough to find a winner.

The match continued in an open fashion and at a high tempo following the recommencement. Morgan carved out the first opening of extra time only to be askew after getting the better of two defenders.

USA again took the lead one minute prior to the end of the opening period of extra time. Wambach powering home a bullet header from close range following Morgan’s powerful cross. It was Wambach’s fourth of the tournament, all from headers.

With five minutes remaining Kinga pushed the ball past the onrushing Solo with only a clearance from retreating captain Christie Rampone denying an equaliser. However from the ensuing corner, captain Sawa equalised by diverting Miyama’s corner with just three minutes remaining. The goal not only ensured the match would be decided by penalties but lifted Sawa into outright lead as top goalscorer with five goals.

Player of the match: Ayumi Kaihori (Japan)

序盤で試合が決まっていてもおかしくなかった。アメリカの猛攻に日本はなす術なく、サンドバッグのようにシュートを撃たれた。クロスバー、ポストに救われたのは日本に運があったから。海堀のポジショニングと岩清水、熊谷の粘り強い守備も光った。前半途中からリズムをつかんだものの決定機はわずか一度。安藤のシュートはソロに止められた。

後半に入ってもアメリカがプレスをかけてきた。そして永里の優柔不断なプレーからボールを奪われ、ラピノーの縦一本のパス。モーガンに抜け出されて一気に決められた。許してはならない先制点を奪われ日本は追い詰められる。しかし、なでしこは諦めず。１２分後に右サイドで崩すと永里のクロスを丸山が潰れ、宮間が左足で技ありのゴールを決めて振りだしに戻す。

試合はエクストラタイムに入り、アメリカが猛攻を仕掛ける。１０４分に左サイドで繋がれ、モーガンの深くえぐったクロスからウォンバックがヘッドで決めて再び突き放す。

諦めない日本はボールを繋ぎ、攻めるがシュートまで持ち込めない。だが、終了間際宮間のＣＫからニアで澤が右足で決めて再び追いつく。

その後岩清水が決定機阻止でレッドになったもののピンチをしのぎきりペナルティシュートアウトに。

海堀がボックスをきっちり止めるとロイドはクロスバーの上。ヒースも止めた。一方の日本は宮間が決め、永里は外したものの阪口が決めてリードを広げる。ウォンバックが決めたものの、最後は熊谷が豪快に決めて激闘に終止符を打った。

プレイヤー・オブ・ザ・マッチはＰＫを止めまくった海堀。ＭＶＰとゴールデンシューは澤となった。

なでしこ、優勝おめでとう。日本に勇気をありがとう！！

なでしこ、スウェーデンを逆転で下してファイナルへ進出！！

FIFA Women's World Cup Germany 2011 Semi-finals Japan 3-1 Sweden @ Arena Im Allerpark Wolfsburg
Japan:Nahomi Kawasumi19, 64,Homare Sawa 60
Sweden:Josefine Oqvist 10

Japan sink Sweden, reach first final(FIFA.com)

Japan reached the final of the FIFA Women’s World Cup™ for the first time with a deserved 3-1 win over a Sweden side who had previously won every match they had played at Germany 2011.

Twenty years ago the teams met in the tournament in China PR, with the Scandinavians running out 8-0 winners, but there was to be no such repeat in Frankfurt as the Nadeshiko continued their 15-year unbeaten run against their opponents.

Sweden were dealt a blow shortly before kick-off, when inspirational captain Caroline Seger was forced to withdraw from the starting line-up with an injury to her left calf. The 26-year-old sat out of the Blagult’s training session last night, but aggravated the muscle again in the warm-up. Orebro’s Marie a Hammarstrom was the late replacement. Japan also made one change, with Nahomi Kawasumi replacing Yuki Nagasato as the focal point of their attack.

There was a large and receptive crowd of 45,434 at the FIFA Women’s World Cup Stadium, with the roof not only acting as a shelter from the heavy showers which had affected Hessen during the day, but also as a sounding board for the fans’ loud cheers to bounce off.

It was the Swedish supporters who were singing after ten minutes. Homare Sawa’s mis-placed pass was latched on to by Oqvist, who powered past Azusa Iwashimizu and hit a shot which flew over Ayumi Kaihori, via a slight deflection off Saki Kumagai, and into the net.

The Sweden forward had a hand in the game’s next goal, but unfortunately for the her it was at the wrong end. Following a powerful run down the centre from Shinobu Ohno, the ball was played to Aya Miyama on the left. She crossed into the box and, under intense pressure from Oqvist, Kawasumi’s touch took the ball beyond Hedvig Lindahl.

Following a spell in which the teams traded spells of possession, the game's next real chance came when Japan won a free-kick on the edge of the area following Charlotte Rohlin’s foul on Kawasumi. Predictably, Miyama stepped up to take the free-kick, which almost caught Lindahl off-guard before she recovered well to push the ball around her right-hand post.

Sweden, on the other hand, were struggling to create any real opportunities and balls played down the channels for Lotta Schelin failed to reach their intended target.

The second-half began at a frenetic pace and the Asians almost took the lead when Ohno’s dipping half-volley clipped the top of the crossbar. On the hour mark they managed it. Following good build-up play down the right, the ball was played along the edge of the box before it was swung into the danger zone. Lindahl came to claim it but failed to make it, and Sawa was on hand to head home her fourth goal of the tournament.

Four minutes later Japan doubled their advantage. Lindahl came out to deal with a long ball which seemed destined to reach Kozue Ando, but her clearance fell straight to Kawasumi, who hit a hopeful shot from 35 yards. The 25-year-old forward seemed as delighted as the Japanese fans to see her effort fly over the Sweden goalkeeper and defence and ripple the back of the net.

With a shots on goal ratio of 11 to one in favour of Japan, Thomas Dennerby sent on Jessica Landstrom, Sofia Jakobsson and Antonia Goransson for Linda Forsberg, Marie Hammarstrom and Oqvist respectively, in a bid to bring his side back into the match. Although Sweden enjoyed a greater territorial advantage, the hard-working Japan defence limited them to just a handful of half-chances.

Indeed, it was Norio Sasaki’s side who remained the more threatening in the final stages and they closed the game out extremely well to book a place in Sunday’s final, also here in Frankfurt, against USA. Sweden, however, must regroup to face France in Sinsheim on Saturday evening in the match for third place.

Player of the match: Aya Miyama (JPN)

強豪ドイツを破って進出したセミファイナルで、日本はスウェーデンを圧倒。先制点を奪われたものの、川澄の２ゴールと澤のゴールで完勝。なでしこフル代表としては初めてFIFA主催の大会でファイナルに進出した。

日本がFIFA主催の大会でファイナルに進出したのはこれで４回目。

ワールドユース・ナイジェリア１９９９年（スペイン 4-0 日本）－　小野伸二、稲本潤一、石川竜也、加地亮、小笠原満男、遠藤保仁、中田浩二、高原直泰ら。

コンフェデレーションズカップ・日韓２００１（フランス 1-0 日本）－　川口能活、小野伸二、中田英寿、稲本潤一、藤田俊哉、中田浩二、松田直樹、西澤明訓、森島寛晃、久保竜彦、鈴木隆行ら。

U-17女子ワールドカップ・トリニダード・トバゴ２０１０（韓国 3-3 PSO 5-4 日本）－　横山久美ら。

４回目の挑戦となる世界一への座。相手はアメリカ。今年２回やって２回負けているが三度目の正直で栄光をつかむことが出来るだろうか。

なでしこ、丸山がゴールを決めてドイツの３連覇の夢を打ち砕く！！

FIFA Women's World Cup Germany 2011 Quarter-finals Germany 0-1 a.e.t. Japan @ Arena Im Allerpark Wolfsburg
Japan:Karina Maruyama 108

Germany stunned by tenacious Japan(FIFA.com)

Japan recorded a famous 1-0 extra-time win to eliminate reigning champions and host nation Germany from the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup™ and reach the semi-finals for the first time.

Substitute Karina Maruyama scored the decisive goal on 108 minutes as Germany suffered a first defeat for 16 matches, dating back to the quarter-final stage at USA 1999. Japan will now face the winner of Sunday’s semi-final between Sweden and Australia.

Germany suffered a major blow within the opening minutes as Kim Kulig was forced off with a knee injury. Kulig rose well for a back-post Melanie Behringer corner, which just looped over the crossbar, but the midfield starlet landed awkwardly. Bianca Schmidt came on at full-back while Linda Bresonik slotted into midfield.

Japan struggled to get out of their own half in the early stages, and for a second it looked like Celia Okoyino Da Mbabi had got the opener on 14 minutes as she flicked a long ball goalwards, only for goalkeeper Ayumi Kaihori to just get a hand on the ball.

Mizuho Sakaguchi fired in from long range with Japan’s first effort on target a few moments later, however German goalkeeper Nadine Angerer was untroubled.

Midway through the half it again momentarily looked that Germany had the opener. Behringer’s free-kick from the left sideline was perfectly weighted to the back post, but captain Kerstin Garefrekes was only able to propel the ball with her thigh, allowing Japan to clear from near the goal line.

Japan’s best chance of the half arrived on the half-hour as Yuki Nagasato pulled her shot wide from an angle with only the goalkeeper to beat.

A minute later, Behringer fired just wide from the edge of the penalty area, then almost immediately Mbabi seemed to be in on goal but Kaihori was out well to smother the shot just in time.

However, despite the majority of chances favouring the home side, the match settled in the latter stages of the first half with Japan making some good progress in midfield.

Germany again came close to breaking the deadlock ten minutes after the interval with a Behringer free-kick, again delivered with precision from a wide area, finding Simone Laudehr only for the header to be cleared off the line by Yukari Kinga.

Then it was Japan’s turn to enjoy some good moments of sustained pressure, with Aya Miyama hitting the side-netting, although Angerer perhaps had the shot covered.

Germany had the better half-chances during the second half but Japan maintained some good midfield possession, often working some good short-passing combinations.

Arguably Germany’s best opportunity saw Garefrekes break into penalty area and pick out Behringer, only for the No7 to sky her snapshot. Germany heaped on the pressure in the closing minutes but to no avail, with extra time required for the second time today.

The best chance during the first period of extra time saw Inka Grings have a sight of goal but she fired wide from a 45 degree angle. It was to be the prolific striker’s last involvement with Alexandra Popp coming on as a replacement.

A free-kick from Miyama nearly resulted in disaster for Germany as the ball momentarily looked like it would get past Angerer amid a sea of bodies.

The Arena Im Allerpark in Wolfsburg was then stunned into momentary silence as unheralded substitute Maruyama scored the decisive goal after chasing down a long ball and slotting her shot inside the far post from an angle.

Almost immediately Behringer hit a superb drive which Kaihori did well to push over the crossbar, while Mbabi saw her header also turned over the bar.

Ｗ杯女子ドイツ大会で、日本は過去の対戦で一度も勝ったことがないドイツ相手に延長戦の末、丸山のゴールで勝利し、Ｗ杯初のセミファイナルに進出した。日本はこれで残り２試合を戦うことが確定。

日本はドイツの猛攻を粘り強いプレーでしのぐと、得意のパスワークでも反撃。観客のほとんどが開催国ドイツの応援という完全アウェイの中でしっかりとプレーをして、ドイツを苛立たせることに成功。

延長に入って澤からパスを受けた丸山がしっかり決めて、この１点を守りきりドイツの３連覇の夢を打ちくだいた。

前日本代表監督岡田武史氏が目指したＷ杯ベスト４は男子ではなく、女子が達成することとなった。岡ちゃんが指揮を執っていたわけではないけれどね。