After the nice defensive response from the USA to Japan's post-goal surge, things settled down just a bit. Japan had good opportunity on a dangerous free kick in the 25th minute and it appeared on the replay that Tobin Heath committed a handball in the box. Her arm was away from her body, but the match referee waved away the shout from Japan and the match moved on. There's little doubt the USA have been getting the better end of the handball calls in this tournament.
USA Vs. Japan, 2012 Olympics: Japan Denied a Clear Penalty, Nearly Surrender an Own Goal
Two minutes later Carli Lloyd’s tricky cross in to the box was headed back towards goal by Japanese defender Azusa Iwashimizu and hit off the post. It was a fraction of an inch from being an own goal and giving the USA a 2-0 lead. Both teams get breaks of a different variety within a couple minutes of each other as this highly entertaining first half rolls on.
Seriously, that would have gone into the conversation for greatest own goal of all time.
Follow along with our live coverage of the final in our USA Vs. Japan, London 2012 Olympics StoryStream.
See More:
