Japan Wins the 2011 Womens World Cup

In a breathtaking match between the US and Japan, Japan comes out on top after defeating the US women in penalty shootout 3-1. With the game tied at 1-1 at the end of the standard 90 minutes, both teams entered 30 minutes of extra time. The US team scored first, with a header from Wambach, but with just minutes left in the extra time, Japan came back with a goal from Sawa. The US missed their first PK, and from Japan took control from there.

The loss is a heart breaker for the American women, but is a tremendous victory for the Japanese. After nothing but bad news and devastation from the tsunami, flooding, and nuclear disaster, the nation of Japan finally has something celebrate.

For those that did not get to watch the game, it was very well played by both sides. The US was more aggressive, while Japan played a more defensive game, keeping more possession of the ball on their own half. in both regulation time and extra time, the US team was the first to score, but each time the Japanese women stayed focused and bounced back quickly with a goal. Both teams played incredibly hard both were very deserving of winning the 2011 FIFA World Cup.