Women’s World Cup 2011, Germany Vs. Japan: Hosts Eliminated By Japan In Extra Time

Germany was a sure bet to make the final of the Women’s World Cup. They hadn’t lost in the Women’s World Cup since 1999 and were the hosts playing in front of sold out crowds in every match. The only question was who Germany would play in the final. Apparently Japan didn’t get the tournament script though because they went in front of a packed house in Wolfsburg and upset the favored Germans, 1-0, in what is could be the biggest upset in Women’s World Cup history.

Many upsets are filled with luck and fortune and the balls bounce the way of the underdog and they get a fluke goal, but Japan’s win was anything but fortunate. Simply put, they were the better team. They were crisp on the ball, showing their technical skill and forcing Germany to sit back and absorb pressure. They were organized at the back, frustrating the Germans and for most of the 120 minutes that the two teams played it was the Japanese who looked the better side.

As much as Japan dominated possession, they did struggle to create chances. Germany was as organized as Japan in defense and made it extremely difficult for Japan to break them down. What Japan was able to do with their possession though is stretch the field wide. They created width and stretched the Germans out so when Germany did get possession they weren’t in any position to strike quickly.

The latter portion of the second half was the first time that Germany really looked dangerous as they played with an urgency that was missing for most of the match. It resulted in cross after cross being played into the box as the Germans looked to take advantage of their height and strength, but the Japanese cleared everything away. Ayumi Kaihori managed the back line and while the book on her might have been that she struggled to come off of her line and collect crosses, she excelled at it against Germany.

With both teams still scoreless after 90 minutes, the two teams went to extra time to settle things. Germany continued to pour crosses into the box and Japan seemed content to let them do so. They would clear and gather the crosses, then come back the other way with more of their possession play, but it didn’t lead to a goal in the first half of extra time.

In the 108th minute, Japan finally got their break through. Homare Sawa jumped on a free ball in the center of the pitch and quickly played a ball in over the top of the Germany defense. Karina Maruyama ran onto the end of it, but got to it with a bad angle at goal. Just a couple yards from the end line and eight yards wide of the right post it didn’t look like Maruyama had much to do with the ball, but she showed no hesitation in unleashing a shot on her first touch. The ball flew past the keeper and just inside the far post for a fantastic goal, starting with Sawa’s beautiful ball and ending with a tremendous finish. The German crowd was deflated, but the Japanese had themselves a game-winner.

Germany responded with more crosses and hopeful attempts, but none panned out. A penalty appeal was their best hope, but the referee waved it off and just waited for 120 minutes to run out before blowing the final whistle for the gigantic upset. With the win, Japan is now onto the semifinals where they will play either Sweden or Australia on July 10 for a spot in the tournament final.