England 1-2 Japan: Last minute own goal breaks England hearts at semi final stage

  

A freak own goal at the death saw Japan defeat England 2-1 in the Women's World Cup Semi Final, setting up a final meeting with USA.

England

1 2

Japan

ENGLAND: BARDSLEY, RAFFERTY, WILLIAMS (CARNEY 86'), HOUGHTON, BASSETT, SCOTT, MOORE, BRONZE(SCOTT 72'), CHAPMAN, DUGGAN, TAYLOR (WHITE 60').

JAPAN: KAIHORI, IWASHIMIZU, KUMAGAI, SEMESHIMA, SAKAGUCHI, MIYAMA, KAWASUMI, OHNO (IWABUCHI 70'), UTSUGI, OGIMI, ARIYOSHI.

SCORE: 0-1, MIYAMI 32'. 1-1, WILLIAMS 40'. 1-2, BASSETT OG 90'.

REFEREE: ANNA MARIE KEIGHLEY (NZ): BOOKED- RAFFERTY, OGIMI.

INCIDENTS: FIFA WOMEN'S WORLD CUP SEMI FINAL BETWEEN ENGLAND AND JAPAN. THE MATCH WAS PLAYED AT EDMONTON'S COMMONWEALTH STADIUM IN FRONT OF 31,467 SPECTATORS.

England had their dreams of reaching a Women's World Cup final dashed as they were beaten 2-1 by Japan on Thursday morning, as a freak own goal by Laura Bassett handed Japan a late, late win.

The Lionesses had the better chances in the both halves, but went behind to Aya Miyami's penalty. It didn't take them long to level up through a spot kick of their own, as Fara Williams converted from 12 yards. Going close on a number of opportunities in the second 45, Bassett's late own goal was a killer, and hugely undeserved.

England start brightly

It didn't take long for England to get going, as a long ball wasn't dealt with by the Japan defence. Jodie Taylor latched onto it, and fired a half volley just wide of the post from 18 yards out, with just 30 seconds on the clock.

The Three Lions were positive from the outset, and continued their attacking style of play minutes later, as full-back Lucy Bronze drove powerfully down the right wing, winning a corner which was eventually cleared by the Japanese defence.

However, after the early flurry, Japan settled into their usual passing game, keeping the ball with extreme precision. Tiring England out in the extreme heat, they patiently probed but couldn't find a clear opening.

At the other end, England had to be patient to find another opportunity, with Toni Duggan's snapshot flying over on 23 minutes.

It was Duggan who threatened again minutes later, after good work by Jill Scott on the right wing. Scott, a threat throughout the game, beat her woman before crossing, only for Duggan's volley to fly high over the bar.

Japan take the lead from the spot...

Unfortunately for England, their pressure didn't tell, as Japan took the lead just past the half hour mark. As Saori Ariyoshi surged into the box, Claire Rafferty put a clumsy arm into her back, and Ariyoshi needed no further invitation to go down, leading the referee to award a penalty.

After what seemed like an extremely long wait, Aya Miyami stepped up and slotted the ball into the bottom left hand corner, sending 'keeper Karen Bardsley the wrong way. Despite it being an obvious foul, England did have reason to feel aggreived, as replays showed the initial contact to be outside the area.

Japan's players celebrate their opening goal (photo: mail)         

...And England level up from the spot

It didn't matter though, as it took England just six minutes to level the scores, with a penalty of their own.

Keen to get back into the game, the Lionesses piled pressure on quickly, forcing a number of corners at the Japan end. One of them proved to be the undoing of Japan, as captain Steph Houghton was caught on the ankle by Yuki Ogimi.

With enormous pressure on her shoulders, midfielder Fara Williamsstepped up confidently, slamming the ball into the bottom left hand corner to make it one all, five minutes short of half time.

England player's celebrate after Fara Williams scores her penalty (photo: FIFA)          

Second half

The second half started at a fairly slow pace, but there was a moment of panic for England just seven minutes in. Yuki Ogimi burst through on the right hand side, and Bardsley came rushing out, as everyone held their breath in fear of giving another penalty away. However, she brilliantly claimed the ball, avoiding conceding a foul.

England gather momentum

What followed then was a 15 minutes spell of complete dominance from England, which left the Lionesses wondering how they hadn't taken the lead.

First up was Duggan, who continued causing the Japan defense trouble, letting fly with a volley from the edge of the box. Although it originally looked like the Japanese goalkeeper had made a good save, replays showed that Duggan's shot crashed back off the bar.

Substitute Ellen White was the next to make an impact, as she moved forward with the ball through the centre. Opening up her body, she curled an effort towards the bottom left hand corner, only for 'keeper Kaihori to produce an excellent save.

Scott was the next to go close, connecting cleanly with Williams' corner, only for her header to drop narrowly wide.

England were struck down with a couple of injuries after that, asLucy Bronze was forced off with an injury, replaced by Alex Scott, whilst Bardsley was seemingly struggling with cramp in the goal.

This didn't stop their momentum, as Rafferty's cross flew high and bounced off the top of the crossbar from 40 yards out.

Jill Scott connects well to the ball, but her header flies wide (photo: uts)         

Heartbreak at the death

The goal that many expected to come, didn't, and the two teams were seemingly heading for extra time, before Japan took the lead with a shock goal in stoppage time.

Moving forward on the counter attack, a ball was swung in towards the direction of attacker Ogimi, and Bassett stuck a leg out in hope of intercepting.

She succeeded, taking the ball before it got across the box, but suffered the worst possible fate as the ball flew onto the underside of the bar, before bouncing into the net.

There wasn't nearly enough time for England to respond, and they crashed out by two goals to one.

England will now face Germany on Saturday to decide who takes third place, whilst Japan will play USA in Sunday's final.

vavel