Sunday’s 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup Final will match defending champions Japan against the United States in a rematch from the last World Cup in 2011.
Many players on both sides return from that final. The Americans will be looking for revenge, and Japan for a historic repeat.
JAPAN
Amazingly, Japan still doesn’t look as though they have been at their best so far in this tournament. They have won every game leading into the final, but this has been without facing a top five opponent. The attacking precision of the 2011 Japan side doesn’t appear to be as threatening. Each of their wins have been by only one goal – many of which have come in the late moments of matches, including that heartbreaking own goal from England’s Laura Bassett in the semifinals to send Japan through
This World Cup was always going to be a great deal tougher for the Japanese. Prior to the 2011 World Cup, they had never made it past the quarter-final stages, therefore the level of scouting done on them by other teams would have been significantly less. Now every team in the world knows how good Japan can be and studies their patterns/players, so naturally it will be harder for them to unlock teams.
Japan have exceptional technicians, with very clever movement on and off the ball, that on their day would cause problems to any team. Hopefully we see them hit their stride in the final to make for an exceptional matchup.
UNITED STATES
The USA, on the other hand, qualified first out of the Group of Death and have defeated Germany (the world’s #1 ranked team) in the semifinal en route to the final. Japan will be the third top-five team that they will have played in this tournament.
The Americans have grown in strength throughout this tournament. They don’t fear any team, and will be very hungry for a win against Japan to settle the score. The concentration on Carli Lloyd’s face as she took her penalty, and the teamwork that formed the second goal in their semifinal against Germany show just how determined and together this USA team is.
PREDICTION
Although I would love the Japanese to be rewarded for their planning and systematic approach to the development of women's football, I ultimate see the USA taking this one by a 2-0 score to win their first World Cup title since 1999.
Emma is the interim head coach of the Whitecaps FC Girls Elite REX program.
