WOLFSBURG: Japan knocked two-time defending champion Germany out of the Women’s World Cup on Saturday, advancing to the semifinals with a 1-0 win when substitute Karina Maruyama outran the defense and scored on an angled shot in extra time.
Japan absorbed relentless pressure during the match, gaining its first World Cup semifinal and handing Germany its first loss in the tournament in a dozen years.
Standout midfielder Homare Sawa spotted Maruyama’s deep run in the 108th minute, served her perfectly and Maruyama slipped it past goalie Nadine Angerer to silence the sellout crowd of 26,067 and an expectant nation.
“I saw her running, I saw the gap in the defense and I gave the assist,” Sawa said.
The 32-year-old’s field vision and precision passing earned her player of the match award.
Double joy for France as English dream over
There was double joy for France who created history Saturday by booking a ticket to their first ever Women’s World Cup semi-finals and secured their berth to the 2012 Olympics.
Bruno Bini’s side came out best in a dramatic 4-3 penalty shootout win over England after the tie had ended 1-1 after extra-time.
Japan’s surprise 1-0 victory over two-time defending champions Germany in their quarter-final in Wolfsburg ensured that the French will have one of the two European qualifying spots for the London Games.
The French had dominated the tie and after missing numerous chances to score were shocked when Jill Scott put England ahead after 59 minutes.
But they pushed forward in search of the equaliser which Elise Bussaglia finally grabbed two minutes from time.
Such was the French delight that striker Marie-Laure Delie pretended to shine the Paris Saint Germain midfielder’s boots.
The extra-time proved difficult for the English with veterans Kelly White and Faye Smith both limping even if striker Ellen White came close to getting one past goalkeeper Celine Deville, standing in for suspended Berangere Sapowicz.
There was a heart-stopping moment for the French when Camille Abily missed her opening penalty despite a sterling performance which saw the midfielder being named player of the match.
But England’s final two penalty takers Claire Rafferty and Faye White both missed the target allowing Les Bleus go through and keep their unbeaten record against the English going back to 1974.
Sweden beat Australia 3-1 to enter semis
Lotta Schelin scored one goal as Sweden beat Australia 3-1 to reach the semifinals at the women’s World Cup on Sunday.
The result means Sweden also qualifies for the London Olympics next year.
Sjogran (11) and Dahlkvist (16) had given the Swedes an early lead. Lotta Schelin finished off the contest after 52 minutes. (Agencies)