World Cup final between Japan and U.S.A. was a victory for women’s sports

Posted Tuesday, July 19, 2011 by YAHOO Sport

After the conclusion of the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup final Sunday, ESPN color commentator and two-time World Cup champion Julie Foudy said that she expected soccer registration among Japanese females to grow exponentially behind team Japan's epic triumph over the U.S.A.

In a country of more than 125 million, only about 28,000 girls are registered to play soccer, according to Foudy. This reporter agrees with the notion that more girls will register to play the beautiful game—but not only in Japan, the tournament's sentimental favorite due to the more than 15,000 people who perished in the 9.0 magnitude undersea earthquake and tsunami that devastated the northeastern coast of the country back in March.

What we witnessed Sunday was a display of athleticism and willpower in Germany—which played host to the international competition—by two teams that elevated women's soccer and sports to incredible heights.

It was an exhibition worthy of permanent remembrance.

When American forward Alex Morgan scored the game's first goal in the 69th minute, there was a sense that Japan was not quite out of it.

With less than 10 minutes left in regulation (not including time added), Japanese midfielder Aya Miyama took advantage of the American's failed attempt to clear the ball from in front of their goal by scoring from short range with her left foot. Miyama's heroics sent the game into extra time, where the U.S. found itself up 2-1 in the first extra time period after forward Abby Wombach headed in Morgan's cross in the 104th minute.

Once again, the Japanese were down to their last minutes. And once again, they would score an unlikely game-tying goal.

In the 117th minute (less than four minutes to go in extra time), midfielder Homare Sawa received a short corner kick from Miyama and struck the ball in mid-air with her right heel, beating goalkeeper Hope Solo with a goal that stunned team U.S.A. and all watching the world over.

It was at that point that I muttered to myself, "Japan is meant to win this game."

And that is exactly what took place in the penalty shoot-out, with the game-winner coming off the right foot of centre back Saki Kumagai. Kumagai went top shelf beyond Solo's reach to give Japan a 3-1 shoot-out win over the U.S., bringing to an end as great a Men's or Women's World Cup tournament as I've ever seen.

The Americans were as gracious in defeat as the Japanese were grateful to emerge with the win. But considering what this tournament will mean to a generation of girls around the globe and the opportunity FIFA now has to keep growing the sport because of its success, it is safe to say that on Sunday, July 17, 2011, all who support women's sports were victorious.