The FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015™, which got under way on 6th June, saw the USA celebrate its third victory. Previous champions Japan had hoped for a back-to-back tournament victory, but were defeated 5-2 in the final by the American side. The Japanese team, however, proudly made its second appearance in a final, finishing in second place. China PR and Korea REP. also made remarkable progress, finishing in the last 8 and last 16, respectively.

JAPAN

In its opening match, Japan was troubled by the Swiss team’s organised pass work and forward dribbling. However, at a crucial moment in the game, the team managed to find its resilience, and won the match with a score of 1-0. Kozue Ando made contact with the goalkeeper, injuring her left ankle during the scene in which Japan were awarded the penalty kick that gave the side its lead. Having lost a richly experienced forward, team manager Norio Sasaki decided to move Shinobu Ono in front, after she played the first match as outside midfielder, in their second fixture against Cameroon. Putting up a resolute fight against a physically capable side, Japan walked away with a 2-1 win, placing them in the knockout stage after two matches.

After making a number of drastic changes to their squad, Japan went on to defeat Ecuador in the final group match and then in the round of 16 subdued a formidably well-organised Netherlands, who boasted three strong attackers, 2-1. A pass from the left by Miyama found Mana Iwabuchi, who made a fake and let it go to Mizuho Sakaguchi for a second goal that was praised by fans the world over. The quarter finals pitted the team against Asian rivals Australia. In the 41st minute of the second half, a corner kick allowed Iwabuchi to score the clincher with a highly-skilled combination she had been practising during training.

In the semi-finals, Japan faced England, who had defeated them in the group stage in the previous competition. A counter attack caused an own goal that gave the side a 2-1 win, which saw them through to the final in Vancouver. Ando, who had returned to Japan, rejoined the team for the final, though Japan conceded an early goal from a quick ball from a corner kick. Despite the side’s hopes for consecutive trophies, the first goal turned into four. From that point the team managed to muster up the strength to regain two goals, before conceding the fifth goal. The former champions showed some prowess, boldly ending the tournament in a show of force as runners up.


CHINA PR

Although China PR began its run in the tournament with a 1-0 loss to host country Canada, goalkeeper Wang Fei exhibited some stern defending and young leader Tang Jiali set the scene with some sharp counterattacking maneuvers in their second match against Netherlands. In the 90th minute Wang Lisi scored a remarkable goal, giving the team a 1-0 victory. The side drew 2-2 in a fierce battle against a physically dominant New Zealand, a result that ranked the team in 2nd place in group A – giving them a ticket to the knockout round.

In the round of 16, the team took the lead against Cameroon in the 11th minute with a corner kick and a pass from Li Dongna to Wu Shanshan. From that moment Cameroon mounted an explosively agile counterattack, creating numerous chances. Li Dongna and Liu Shanshan worked together closely to stop Cameroon forward Enganamouit, which allowed China PR to steal the game.


In the quarter finals, the team resisted with a tight-knit teamwork against giants USA, and were able to have a slightly better ball possession. However, a hearty long pass to midfielder Carli Lloyd saw USA head the ball into the back of China PR’s net, and superstar goal keeper Hope Solo prevented China PR from converting its frequent chances. As a result the team unfortunately lost. However, for China PR this comes as the first time they finish in the last 8 since the FIFA Women’s World Cup China PR 2007 – two tournaments ago. Going into the future, the team has gained much from this tournament. This year their young talents were given the reins, and the EAFF WOMEN'S EAST ASIAN CUP 2015 is due to be held in Wuhan, China in August.


KOREA REP.

Korea REP., for the first time in the tournament since 2003, played its opening game against favourites Brazil, labouring away from the blow of the whistle with some notable hard work. The opportunities they conceded their opposition, however, were capitalised on, and the side lost 2-0. That said, the team came into their next game with a refreshed outlook, and controlled the ball well against Costa Rica, with the team’s pillar, Cho So-hyun, leading the way. In the 16th minute of the first half a long pass provided the opposition with a dynamic first goal. However, moments after Costa Rica scored Korea REP. was awarded a penalty kick, which equalled the scoreline. And then Jeon Ga-eul connected with Kang Yu-mi’s cross from the right for a brilliant goal that turned the tables. Throughout the match, the team fought with the tide on their side. However, toward the end of the game the team was penetrated down the middle fabulously, which gave the opposition a draw. The team’s performance going into their third match, however, was promising.

Korea REP.’s match against Spain – vying for a place in the knockout rounds – was a dramatic game, and certainly one of the “best bouts” in the whole of the group stage matches. Both sides actively mounted their offensives from midfield, with impressive offense and defence shown by both sides. In the 28th minute, following some dribbling, a pull-back cross found Veronica Boquete – giving Spain the first goal and the lead. In the second half, however, some stellar attacking from the flank gave both Cho So-hyun and Kim Soo-yun goals. In the dying minutes of the game, a shot by Bermudez – subbed into the match – luckily hit the Korea REP.’s crossbar. The Korean turned into a more defensive style, and with the heated competition that became the norm of the third match, the team succeeded in progressing to the knockout round. In the round of 16, two devastating goals against France in the 3rd and 7th minute affected the mood of the match, and counterattacks in the second half amounted to very little. Korea REP. took a bow with a 3-0 loss to France. However, this was a result the team could be proud of – as they finished in the last 16 after missing out on the last two tournaments.