Japan vs. Sweden in the 2011 Women’s World Cup
It’s the women’s World Cup, and although it doesn’t draw the same world-wide media support as the men, it still gives off the same tense, edge-of-your-seat, nail-biting anxiety and tension. In short, it is a female sport that matches the men’s, indeed.
For the first time, an Asian team knocks out the current 2nd-ranked ladies team in the world: Germany. Japan now moves into the semi-final round where they will face Sweden, and just one victory away from the final match, and a chance to be the world champions.
They said that Japan couldn’t beat Germany. They said Germany was “too tall.” Even now, after the fact that Germany was out-finessed and outplayed, the articles STILL say things like “Japan beat a team that FAR outclassed them.” Really? Last time I checked, a team that “far outclasses” another team will win, and looking again now at the final score, I see that Japan has one solid, skillfully executed goal, whereas the only thing Germany has to show is one big goose egg.
I don’t mean to be rude, I really don’t. Please pardon me if it seems that way. However, some things about this are aggravating to me. First, who ISN’T tired of seeing teams like Germany advance to the finals, while Asian teams like Japan continually get passed over, even when doing well? As a matter of fact, Japan was written off long ago, even after beating Mexico 4 goals to none, on the basis that Mexico isn’t a “strong team.” A recent article published on www.jayreas.com says that “Japan isn’t going to win in the fashion they took Mexico down in.” Oh? Why not? I have gone back over the previous matches on FIFA’s website and watched the highlights. I noticed a few things…
First, Japan does an excellent, and consistent job of maintaining the bulk of ball possession. They create good opportunities to score, and while they may not have as many shots on goal, they tend to get better quality looks than the other teams. Germany was credited with 23 shots, and yet scored none. Most of those didn’t even have a chance to happen, and I wonder why they are even considered “shots” to begin with.
Sweden is a very large team — very tall, very strong. These are the reasons given for the “victory” that Germany would have over Japan, on top of being the “more talented” of the two teams. After this past weekend, however, Japan proved not only that they have the desire, passion and talent to win, but on top of that they made useless Germany’s height and physicality.
In fact, this match was a step up in physicality on behalf of Japan…..it was almost as if they had mentally prepared themselves to meet this challenge in advance.
Third, I don’t see Sweden creating as many shot opportunities as other teams like Germany, and many of their goals have been what I call “chance,” where something unique or non-typical occurs, resulting in an otherwise easy goal, or what me and my brother used to call, a “gimme.” Conversely, when I look at the goals scored by Japan, I see a higher degree of precision and accuracy, and their points coming more as a result of skill rather than chance. Actually, as I was taking notes, I didn’t see a single goal by Japan that was “chance” or “luck.” In a way, this bodes well for Japan too, since they haven’t, in effect, “used” any of their lucky goals yet.
Additionally, Japan has some “nice” missed shots that could have easily been goals. Many times, these are 50/50, and could have easily been in the back of the net. For example, the score of the game they played against Mexico could easily have been 5 to nothing — go to www.fifa.com and look at the match highlights. If that doesn’t show Japan’s talent, I don’t know what does.
Lastly, Japan BEAT GERMANY. This was not a team to sniff at! How could this be a fluke? They played hard and made a tremendous goal, and won the game.
Japan, well-rested and calm like they usually are, can easily handle Sweden, and I expect, and hope, to see them score a few goals against them, move on to the final, and then win that as well.
Good luck in the World Cup, Japan, because you deserve it!
Japan vs Sweden Update: Japan Wins and Will Face USA in World Cup Final
There aren’t many things nicer than making bold statements you believe to be true, about something that hasn’t happened yet, and then watching as it comes to pass.
Well, except perhaps the happiness you feel for the ones who are getting the recognition and attention they deserve.
That game earlier today was astounding. Sweden, once again, got their goal off of a “gimme,” when Homare Sawa made a rare mistake in the backfield, close to her own goal, by dishing off a weak pass to a teammate. It was the last and only mistake Japan would make. From there, they not only played the same solid game they’ve been playing, they played it even better. Nippon came out with 60% possession to the Swedes’ 40%, an amazing difference! Japan rattled off 14 shots, 5 on target, with a result of 3 goals, all of which were executed with skillful precision. 2 of their shots were off the crossbar, putting the potential number of goals scored at 5!
How did the Swedes fair? Not so well.
Remember Germany? They had 23 shots against Japan and scored not once. Sweden only 4 shots, 2 on target, and the result was just one goal — that’s right, 4 shots, 1 goal. (and remember that one goal was a mistake, “gimme” goal).
The game was a relatively clean one, with only 11 fouls total and just one yellow card, which not-surprisingly went to Sweden, who I believe should have walked away with a red card as well after one completely unnecessary slide to the back legs of an unsuspecting Japanese player.
All in all, I was very happy with the game. I had a good feeling before it even began, as it showed both teams individually, in the locker room, in the tunnel, and on the pitch.
Get this:
The cameras were moving over the heads of the players on the field. Three of the Japanese players saw it and were smiling, jumping, and waving at it. They looked like little girls on a playground. They showed Hamare Sawa talking with the children, laughing, smiling, having fun. I could tell that Japan was so happy to be there, and no matter what happened, they would still be happy, win or lose. I have a hard time believing that they would have cried if they had lost. I think that the would have just been thankful for how far they’d come already.
Then the cameras moving along the Swedes. It comes in close on the field, they ignore it, and in a circle around a trainer, stretch and concentrate, and no smiles. No joking around, just serious faces, every angle, everywhere. This was serious business – you can’t go back home to Sweden, I guess, having lost to a team that is so much shorter, smaller, “weaker.”
Viewing all this gave me a lot of hope for Nippon before they started, and my feelings did not deceive me. On the contrary, not only did the Japanese ladies pull off an impressive victory, they did so with smiles on their faces. Even when they scored a goal, it looked like little girls on a playground, celebrating. I don’t smile a tenth as much watching the men play as I do when I watch the women from Japan take the pitch. Seeing that Japanese flag fly all over that field and on their jerseys is quite appropriate, because when I watch them out there, giving it their all and having fun, they literally bring sunlight into my day.
So, where are the “neigh sayers” now? I’m sure there will be some who doubt still, some who stand yet on the old bandwagon. Well, that’s okay. The truth is, Japan has a great team that they can already be proud of, no matter what, and not only that, they truly are playing better ball than anyone, including the USA. Also, they continue to build a following, around the world, in support both for their women’s team and their country.
Go, Nippon, fight hard and win. You have my support! Ganbatte!