by Kunle Demuren
This is the final installment of our coverage of the 2011 Women's World Cup.
It must be said, in the wake of the USA's run in the World Cup coming to an end in the final in a penalty shootout (3-1, after finishing 2-2 in extra time) that perhaps it was just not meant to be. Certainly, that must have been the feeling that American fans experienced as the match wore on, as the US failed to turn dominance into goals.
- It is a cruel irony that the way US advanced past both Brazil and France is exactly how they were beaten; punished for being wasteful with chances created. As I said after the semifinal against France, possession and chances mean nothing if you don't convert them into goals, and that is unfortunately what happened to the United States. This will surely be a bitter defeat for them, especially knowing that they could and perhaps should have put the game to bed by half-time, but Japan showed an amazing fighting spirit in the face of what initially looked like a pending blowout.
- Ironically, minus the profligacy in front of goal and the defensive mistakes that led to Japan's equalizers, this was the best game the US played in this tournament. Shannon Boxx especially had an excellent game breaking up Japan's play in midfield coming off of her woeful performances in earlier rounds, and even Carli Lloyd played better (although her decision-making on the ball was a bit poor). It was a half-an-hour into the match before Japan was able to mount even a single attack beginning in the US half of the pitch, a testament to the quality of the American organization and play in the midfield. Alex Morgan also had a great game coming off of the bench, scoring and assisting Abby Wambach's goal in extra-time. It really is hard to identify anywhere where Pia Sundhage could have gone in a different direction (the benching of Amy Rodriguez was necessary, given how little she was contributing). It just goes to show that gameplans mean nothing if the players don't execute.
- Speaking of a lack of execution, the way the US performed in the penalty shootout was absolutely shocking, especially considering how well they took their kicks against Brazil. Boxx's and Tobin Heath's penalties were both too weak and too central, and Japan's keeper was able to deal with them easily. By the time Abby Wambach had restored a little confidence, it was far too late for the USA. Perhaps the Japanese tenacity in repeatedly coming from behind finally drained the mental and emotional reserves that the team had relied on so much against Brazil and France. Certainly it was bitter to swallow Nike's "Pressure Makes Us" advertisement three minutes after the final kick was taken.
- Anyone watching ESPN or CNN in the next few days will probably get more than they care to hear about the inspiring story of the Japanese team, but it deserves a few words here. Japan are surely a nation in need of something positive, and their women's team has given them that with a battling effort. As discussed above, even when lesser teams might have collapsed under the pressure the US put them under, they persevered, and took their chances when they presented themselves. In the early stages, it seemed that the magnitude of the occasion had affected them, but they grew into the game later on. Some of the hype comparing this team to Barcelona was misplaced (France's passing was far better), but they pulled off an improbable upset, and for that they should be commended.
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