England own goal hands win to Japan
EDMONTON— It took some help, but Japan is returning to the Women’s World Cup final.
Laura Bassett’s own goal in the 92nd minute proved to be the heartbreaker as Japan punched its ticket through to the championship game with a dramatic 2-1 victory over England on Wednesday.
England coach Mark Sampson said the entire team is in full support of Bassett, who was understandably upset after the game.
“It was a horrible moment for Laura, but the team holds her in high regard,” he said.
Fourth-ranked Japan, the defending champion from the 2011 World Cup in Germany and silver medallists at the 2012 London Olympics, will meet the United States in the gold-medal match Sunday in Vancouver.
Sixth-ranked England had a very good early opportunity, as Jodie Taylor shot just wide of the Japanese net and outstretched goalie Ayumi Kaihori in the opening minute.
Japan was awarded a penalty kick as English defender Claire Rafferty made a major mistake in shoving Saori Ariyoshi from behind on her way to the net. Aya Miyami took the penalty kick and made no mistake in scoring at the 33rd minute to make it 1-0 for Japan.
However, England got a penalty kick call of its own soon afterwards in the 40th minute when Yuki Ogimi was flagged for impeding Steph Houghton. Fara Williams took the shot and outguessed Kaihori to knot the game 1-1.
The game appeared to be headed to extra time, but a long Japanese cross by Nahomi Kawasumi in the 92nd minute hit Bassett’s leg and deflected off the woodwork and in, although it took the new goal-line technology to declare it a goal and give Japan the victory.