Japan edge England to replay 2011 World Cup final
Xinhua, July 2, 2015 Adjust font size:
A fatal own goal by England in the extra time sent Japan to the World Cup final on Wednesday.
The defending champions face old rivals the United States in a repeat of the 2011 final.
Aya Miyama broke the deadlock through a penalty kick in the 33th minute, but Fara Williams equalized the score seven minutes later.
In the second half, England almost touched the victory. The dark horse crashed a shot onto the crossbar just past the hour mark, and Jill Scott's header went just narrowly wide in the 66th minute.
When it seemed the game would go to the overtime, Laura Bassett's own goal ruined all the efforts of her teammates just few seconds before the full time.
Bassett's clearance became an unstoppable angle shot and the own goal gave England a sudden death.
The final will take place in Vancouver on Sunday. Endit