Japan Wins World Cup On Penalties After 2-2 Thriller

[LetTimmySmoke]

Source: MSNBC

FRANKFURT, Germany - Japan claimed its first Women's World Cup title after beating the United States on penalty kicks Sunday.

The U.S. missed its first three penalty kicks, while goalkeeper Hope Solo could only save one goal. Japan won when it made its fourth attempt.

Team USA had dominated much of the final, outshooting Japan by a 29-12 margin and a 6-3 margin on goal. But two shots have gone off the post, another went over the crossbar and Japan's goalkeeper made a terrific save on a fourth.

Read more: http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/43785995/ns/sports-soccer/

---

I was rooting for the USA, but I'm happy to see Japan win.

[annabanana]

1. Ditto. I am a bit surprised that the US team hasn't yet

crossed the field to congratulate them.

[gristy]

11. I did not notice any delay.

[Red1]

37. Tough One To Lose

As in many sports when you can't capitalize on the early ones the other team gains confidence..congrats to the Japanese ladies...

[otohara]

2. Bravo Japan

Well done ladies

[alp227]

3. after the team won in 1999 a Republican won the election

Just sayin'...

[demosincebirth]

10. Didn't win, it was givin' to him

[NewJeffCT]

16. And, after the US won in 1991, a Democrat won the following year

just sayin...

[RandySF]

4. The key play

Was the red card just before the end of extra time. Nasty but the Japanese player took one for the team.

[elocs]

5. I was not rooting for the USA, but for Japan although I didn't think they'd win.

I'm not into this "we need to be #1" stuff in sports. It's nice that the people of Japan have something good to feel about even for a short time.

[Maccagirl]

8. Yes, that "championship glow" is very transitory

but hte sour taste of defeat seems to stay awhile.

[otohara]

14. You & just about everyone

They weren't supposed to win!

We are celebrating at the Otohara house tonight

[rabs]

28. The U.S. players were taller, stronger, and maybe faster

but the ball is the same size for everyone. Scrappy Japanese ladies proved it today.

Happy celebration. :toast:

[BeyondGeography]

6. If Japan finds a measure of comfort, so much the better

I found it very hard to root against them.

[bigwillq]

7. Congrats to Japan (nt)

[Blue_In_AK]

9. I think that's great.

Japan needs something to cheer them up these days.

[Lint Head]

12. I was pulling for the USA but I'm glad Japan has something positive

to smile about. I don't cry easily but I did. This is so good for the Japanese who have endured so much. It will be an inspirational story for years to come.

[nyy1998]

25. +1, I didn't cry, but I did felt happy to see the Japanese ppl to have something to be happy about

nt

[iandhr]

13. We had many chances in the first half...

...also some bad luck. balls hitting the crossbar or posts

[VWolf]

39. Championship teams find ways to score - they make their own luck

When the US hit those crossbars, side-nettings and top-nettings in the 1st half, I knew the game was in peril.

One thing I did notice was, despite all of our possession and dominance in the match, we had far too many unforced errors. Japan had almost none. We gave the ball away cheaply an awful lot.

[theHandpuppet]

15. If we had to lose to anyone, I'm glad it was Japan

Their country needed an uplifting story right now. Congrats to the players of both teams for such a great game.

[iamjoy]

29. Yeah, I Felt Really Conflicted

I thought maybe I was a bit of a traitor for not rooting for the USA in this game. It occurred to me that Japan needs it more than we do. Funny thing was, when I watched the game, I found myself rooting for the USA - instinct I guess. But when I wasn't watching, I hoped Japan would win.

I think our ladies should also be commended for making it so far. And I'm hoping this helps them get the extra edge they need to take the gold in London next year.

[Vehl]

17. Congratulations Japan

I'm not really into this game, but am glad that Japan has something to celebrate after the quake tragedy

[alp227]

18. I think I'm gonna watch anime tonight n/t

[LetTimmySmoke]

19. I advise you to turn your eyes away when the tentacles start coming out.

[Cool Logic]

20. I am not a soccer fan, bit I would abolish the penalty ending and institute sudden-death overtime.

It seems to me that would be a much better way to end the game.

[theHandpuppet]

35. Agreed, but...

Penalty kick endings seem like such a cheat. On the other hand, since only three substitutions are allowed you could end up woith games where players are literally dropping from exhaustion.

[VWolf]

40. Here's my proposal

After regulation ends, you go to either golden goal or a full 30 (doesn't matter to me), but you're allowed unlimited subs before the overtime starts. Seems it would favor the team with more depth on the bench.

[Cool Logic]

46. Is there a logical reason for limiting substitutions?

I know the clock doesn't stop very often, but the players tend to become spread out on a change a possession. And it would seem to me that would allow substations to occur while the clock is running. In hockey, the players coming off the ice must be within five feet of their bench and out of the play before the switch is made.

[Bacchus39]

43. that is what they used to do but it still doesn't solve

what to do if the game remains tied unless you are suggesting indefinite overtime until someone scores.

they could allow a substitution at the end of the half, end of normal time, and half time of extra time. easy fix that wouldn't delay actual play time. and still allow the 3 during play subs.

[Cool Logic]

45. I know very little about soccer--what is the purpose of limiting substitutions to such a degree?

Most of the sports I'm familiar with allow for substitutions between plays or on a stopped clock. Hockey even permits substitutions during play, with the exception of goalies.

Yesterday's ending left me feeling like I was watching a different sport than the one I had begun watching. It just didn't seem right after watching actual soccer for a couple of hours.

[SpiralHawk]

21. Tip O' the Hawk cap to Japan

[liberation]

22. It was a fantastic game.

Both teams are winners in my book.

The quality of the American team was great, and the Japanese never gave up.

Sometimes the end result is not as important as the game itself.

[VWolf]

41. Agreed. It was a victory for positive footy.

Both the Japanese and the Americans played with a respect for the game that some players (*cough* Marta *cough*) just don't have.

What a refreshing change from the men's game.

[Hell Hath No Fury]

23. I was secretly cheering for Japan --

Their country need this win much more than we did, plain and simple. They played a great game and deserved their win. :applause:

[Bacchus39]

24. extremely entertaining game n/t

s

[FailureToCommunicate]

26. To echo liberation, It Was a Fantastic Game! Solo and the others

played so well (maybe the defense had some problems...)

Japan won the shoot out against an injured Solo after a 30 minute overtime. Unfortunate, but both teams can hold their heads high.

Too bad US media can't seem to drum up any enthusiasm for women's soccer.

But then of course US media sucks in so many ways...

[Dept of Beer]

27. That was an awesome game. Japan deserves the win.

The US womens team dominated on goal attempts, but also made a few big blunders near their goal: giving the Japanese the chance to win.

[miyazaki]

30. Awesome game. No more hearing people mispronounce nadeshiko.

:0

[sakabatou]

31. How were they pronouncing it?

Na-DESH-koh?

[miyazaki]

32. Of course you are right. On American tv all i hear is

nada-SHI-koh.

[Arctic Dave]

33. I was able to watch about ten minutes of the game.

Both teams were doing great. Congrats for Japan, they were very good.

[bitchkitty]

34. Congratulations to Japan!

I tried to write it in Japanese but it told me my subject line had too many spaces? Wierd.

日本、おめでとう！

[Mudoria]

36. Pretty sad ending for the US women

They've showed a lot of heart through the Cup, being outplayed many times and still working hard to find a way to win. They get to the finals and really outclass their opponent most of the game and come up short when it counts. Still hard to believe Japan won, they're such an average team 99% of the time but I guess luck plays a big part of who wins.

[Blue_Tires]

38. Sadly, like 2007

the U.S. was a big favorite but couldn't finish...Congrats to Japan, though...

[VWolf]

42. I wouldn't call it luck

Japan played a smart game and had almost no unforced errors.

Better shooting in the first half and the US romps.

[WatsonT]

44. Well they needed a win somewhere