Women's World Cup Final Preview

The 6th Women's World Cup nears its conclusion as 2 time winners U.S.A. go up against first time finalists Japan in Frankfurt. Surprise finalists Japan finished 2nd in Group B with 2 wins and a loss scoring 6 and conceding 3 along the way. Wins against New Zealand and Mexico was followed up with a 2-0 loss to England and meant that Japan had to go up against Germany in the quarters in Wolfsburg. They shocked the holders and tournament favourites with a 108th minute goal from Maruyama in a game in which they were not lucky, deserving their victory. Japan then put away Sweden convincingly 3-1 with a brace for star forward Kawasumi. Playing a standard 4-4-2, the main threat is likely to come from forward Kawasumi and central midfielder Sawa, who scored a hattrick against Mexico.

U.S. shot stopper Hope Solo

The U.S., 2 time winners, 1991 and 1999, surprising finished 2nd in their Group behind Sweden despite being the top ranked side in the Group. Comfortable wins against North Korea and Colombia, 2-0 and 3-0, was followed up by a 2-1 loss to the Swedes that meant that they were paired up against fellow heavy weights Brazil in Dresden. The game was nothing short of amazing with the U.S. taking an early lead but then being begged back to a twice taken penalty (ridiculous decision from the ref) and then falling behind to an amazing finish from the 'Women's Pele', Marta, at the beginning of ET. In the 122 minute, the U.S. levelled the score  through a header from forward Wambach which saw the game head to penalties. Fantastic goal keeping from U.S. keeper Solo and some brilliant penalties saw the U.S. head into the semis where they comfortably beat France 3-1.

The final is going to be an intriguing one with both teams pretty evenly matched in terms of the route that they have taken to get to the final as well as the nature of those games. Both had difficult quarter-final games, disposing of two of the favourites followed by relatively easy semi-finals match-ups. The U.S. will be favourites given their greater squad depth and fan support from the neutrals but Japan are still somewhat of an unknown which will be in their favour. Expect a tough and evenly match battle Frankfurt with the U.S. lifting the trophy just.