japan 1 germany 0
japan recorded a famous 1-0 win over germany in extra time.
how did germany lose this game? to be honest, i still can't quite believe it. the germans sportingly praised the japanese' organisation and determination. surely a factor... but germany had enough chances, but didnt get their shots or headers on target.
there was of course an element of luck when you consider the chances for both sides.
but the japanese coach made one change at half-time which i think in hindsight, was brilliant. he took off yuki nagasato for karina maruyama. i was shocked, because an attack without nagasato was unimagineable. but maruyama gave the japanse a focal point in their counterattacks. she could hold the ball, knew when to hold it, when to pass it, when to take on the defender.
and of course, she got that winner, running onto sawa's throughball and putting it into the far post from a tight angle. fantastic finish.
when i saw the ball go in, i had to raise a fist in triumph, because japan were being bombarded with high balls all game, under pressure, but i always knew that one chance is all you need to score. and they did just that. one lapse in concentration it was from the germans too. the two midfielders didnt close sawa and ando down when they got the ball in midfield from the defence. and bartusiak was somehow already flatfooted when maruyama made her run.
there was a stunned silence after the goal. germany pressed for the equaliser, but japan held on for that famous win.
how did germany lose this game? to be honest, i still can't quite believe it. the germans sportingly praised the japanese' organisation and determination. surely a factor... but germany had enough chances, but didnt get their shots or headers on target.
there was of course an element of luck when you consider the chances for both sides.
but the japanese coach made one change at half-time which i think in hindsight, was brilliant. he took off yuki nagasato for karina maruyama. i was shocked, because an attack without nagasato was unimagineable. but maruyama gave the japanse a focal point in their counterattacks. she could hold the ball, knew when to hold it, when to pass it, when to take on the defender.
and of course, she got that winner, running onto sawa's throughball and putting it into the far post from a tight angle. fantastic finish.
when i saw the ball go in, i had to raise a fist in triumph, because japan were being bombarded with high balls all game, under pressure, but i always knew that one chance is all you need to score. and they did just that. one lapse in concentration it was from the germans too. the two midfielders didnt close sawa and ando down when they got the ball in midfield from the defence. and bartusiak was somehow already flatfooted when maruyama made her run.
there was a stunned silence after the goal. germany pressed for the equaliser, but japan held on for that famous win.
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