Women's World Cup Final Preview: United States - Japan

Posted Sunday, July 17, 2011 by YAHOO Sport

Japan and the U.S. will be meeting at the FIFA Women’s World Cup for the third time, having faced off in the inaugural event in 1991 and in 1995 in Sweden. The U.S. won 3-0 in 1991, and posted a 4-0 win in the 1995 edition of the tournament.
Before the three encounters in 2011, the U.S. had last faced Japan in 2008, playing the Asian power twice at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. The U.S. came away with a 1-0 win on Aug. 9 in Qinhuangdao, followed by a 4-2 U.S. win on Aug. 18 in the semifinals in Beijing.
Japan has scored 10 times in five games at the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup, compared to 13 goals in 16 games during all five previous editions of the tournament.
Half of Japan’s goals have been scored in the first 20 minutes of action.
Defender Aya Sameshima is the only player on Japan’s team that currently plays in the U.S., plying her trade with the Boston Breakers of Women’s Professional Soccer.
Abby Wambach’s goal against France was her 12th in the Women’s World Cup, tying her for third place all-time with Michelle Akers, behind Marta (14) and Birgit Prinz (14).
Wambach also tied Michelle Akers with 26 points in the FIFA Women’s World Cup. Wambach has three goals and one assist in 2011, and is behind Mia Hamm (28) in the U.S. record books.
Midfielder Homare Sawa is Japan’s leading cap-winner at FIFA Women’s World Cups, with 17 appearances
U.S. head coach Pia Sundhage played against Sawa in the 1995 FIFA Women’s World Cup. Sawa was 16 years old.