FIFA Women's Soccer World Cup Final: Who Really Won???
OMG! In the most ever riveting soccer game I have ever watched, a cliffhanger, a nailbiter, going into the absolute OT ending, a game decided by penalty kicks, the US team lost. It was a stunner to me, for up to that point, the USA out outplayed the Japanese in almost every way. Yeah, sure I am an American but it was NOT the Japanese defense that halted them, it was themselves, especially in the first 15 minutes when the US team slammed over 15 shots and of those, only 2-3 were actually deflected by the Japanese goalie, the rest were simply inaccurate shots missing by the narrowest of margins. Damn! The first half could have easily been at least 5-0. The Japanese simply were on the defensive most of the first half taking fewer than 5 shots at the US goalie, Solo. No question about which team was the powerhouse and the Japanese team is happy they, indeed, got lucky this time.
The second half was a mirror repeat of the first, but things did even out a bit more as Japan did start to come back as they always do, yet, the US missed shots that would have been a score. Then, in OT, Solo was injured and not quite over the injury when the ball was put back into play, wham! Japan scores. It happened soooo fast, I thought it was totally unfair. The US goalie was not ready even.
The OT turned into the penalty shootout. Here, the US players seemed to give it away, it was weird. Sad. It was a sad way to end such an fantastic, thrilling game and since I seldom watch soccer, it was even better.
The Japanese know they got lucky. They know they were outmatched and played most of the game. They know who really won. BTW, while the American team had all Americans, the Japanese had several players who play for German teams and some Japanese-Americans. They did not all live in Japan. How ironic!