Today is the day. Today is the day of the FIFA Women’s World Cup Final. It is the day where the journeys of the last two teams standing comes to an end. It is the day that every country dreams to be a part of. It is the day that the US women’s team plays in their third final in the last four world cups, and the Japanese team plays in their second straight. It is the day that features a rematch of the last World Cup’s final, with everybody hoping that this one brings just as much suspense and excitement as the last. The USA looks to avenge their heartbreaking loss in penalties four years ago, while the Japanese look to become the second nation to repeat as champions – something that as of now, only Germany has accomplished.
The main storyline for the American team has been their defense. They have allowed only 11 shots on goal in six games and this has enabled them to have played 513 minutes since they conceded their last goal – a goal to Australia early in their first match. If they can hold Japan scoreless until the 28th minute tonight, they would set a tournament record. They may have found something new and improved when they went up against Germany, the world #1, in the semis, when they weren’t afraid to change up their formation and it paid off. They set tournament highs in tackles and interceptions in the middle third, and pressured Germany into completing only 56 percent of their passes in the attacking third.
Fortunately for Japan, controlling the ball is exactly what they’re best at. They aren’t going to annihilate you, as they’ve won every single match by one goal, but they are going to come out patiently, tactically, and intelligently. They not only have completed the most passes in this year’s cup, they have the best completion rate. They possess the ball for 58 percent of the game and seemingly are able to do what they want, when they want. It looked like England had found the key to beating Japan in physicality, but despite visible struggle the Japanese still found a way to pull it off.
Experience isn’t going to be what dictates the game tonight. These two teams are the oldest teams ever seen – with average ages of 29.3 and 28.4. 24 players who played in the 2011 final are back again tonight, including all four goal scorers. Never underestimate the power of revenge, and this is what has been on the American’s minds for the last four years, and is exactly what is going to be on their minds tonight. Expect the USWNT to come out carefully aggressive and looking to score early, as well as frustratingly disruptive on the defensive end, limiting Japan’s scoring opportunities and never allowing them to get into their rhythm. Today is the day that they have been waiting for, and this one won’t be slipping out of their hands.
The main storyline for the American team has been their defense. They have allowed only 11 shots on goal in six games and this has enabled them to have played 513 minutes since they conceded their last goal – a goal to Australia early in their first match. If they can hold Japan scoreless until the 28th minute tonight, they would set a tournament record. They may have found something new and improved when they went up against Germany, the world #1, in the semis, when they weren’t afraid to change up their formation and it paid off. They set tournament highs in tackles and interceptions in the middle third, and pressured Germany into completing only 56 percent of their passes in the attacking third.
Fortunately for Japan, controlling the ball is exactly what they’re best at. They aren’t going to annihilate you, as they’ve won every single match by one goal, but they are going to come out patiently, tactically, and intelligently. They not only have completed the most passes in this year’s cup, they have the best completion rate. They possess the ball for 58 percent of the game and seemingly are able to do what they want, when they want. It looked like England had found the key to beating Japan in physicality, but despite visible struggle the Japanese still found a way to pull it off.
Experience isn’t going to be what dictates the game tonight. These two teams are the oldest teams ever seen – with average ages of 29.3 and 28.4. 24 players who played in the 2011 final are back again tonight, including all four goal scorers. Never underestimate the power of revenge, and this is what has been on the American’s minds for the last four years, and is exactly what is going to be on their minds tonight. Expect the USWNT to come out carefully aggressive and looking to score early, as well as frustratingly disruptive on the defensive end, limiting Japan’s scoring opportunities and never allowing them to get into their rhythm. Today is the day that they have been waiting for, and this one won’t be slipping out of their hands.