VANCOUVER – The rivalry between the U.S. and Japan’s women’s national soccer teams has generated some tremendous moments. Japan won on penalty kicks at the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup and the U.S. exacted a measure of revenge in the gold-medal game at the London 2012 Olympics.
One thing their rivalry hasn’t generated is animosity. Heading into Sunday’s FIFA Women’s World Cup final at BC Place, the teams took turns heaping praise on each other.
“I can’t reflect too much on 2011,” said U.S. head coach Jill Ellis. “I have tremendous respect for Japan and what they are today and not just what they’ve accomplished in the past.”
“I really am grateful for this opportunity,” Japan coach Norio Sasaki said through a translator on Saturday. “I feel a sort of fate because we always play in the final against the U.S.”
While their personalities may not clash, their respective styles of play could prove to be an interesting contrast. The U.S. unveiled a more aggressive offensive formation in their semi-final win over Germany.
Sasaki said his Japanese side has what it takes to counter the American attack.
“The strength of the U.S. team is the power and also the organized way of playing. The structure and the strong desire to win. They are highly motivated,” he said. “We don’t have as much power, but we have the skills, techniques and a network amongst the players.”
What time is the U.S.-Japan Women’s World Cup final?
Kick-off is 4:00 p.m. PDT.
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What channel is the U.S.-Japan match?
The game will be broadcast in Canada on CTV and RDS. In the U.S., the match will air on FOX.
Players to Watch
Curtain call for two legends
Sunday’s final will be the last World Cup matches for two of the greatest players in women’s soccer.
Abby Wambach
The brash forward has accomplished everything a footballer can — except win a World Cup. The 35-year-old has accepted a reduced role on the 2015 roster for a chance to finally win it all on the much-maligned turf at BC Place.
Homare Sawa
Sawa was a workhouse for the 2011 team that won it all. Like Wambach, the 36-year-old has accepted a limited role, but could prove to be a critical cog in an organized Japanese side.
Captains courageous
Both team captains–Japan’s Aya Miyama and the USA’s Carli Lloyd–have been integral to their team’s success.
Carli Lloyd
No one has benefited more from the USA’s more aggressive style than Lloyd, who has been allowed to roam and create scoring chances. Lloyd has scored in all three knockout games at the Women’s World Cup.
Aya Miyama
Along with Lloyd, Miyama is a frontrunner to win the Golden Ball as the tournament’s top player. Miyama has two goals and two assists in the tournament and her chemistry with forward Yuki Ogimi will pose the biggest threat to a U.S. defence that has gone more than 500 minutes without surrendering a goal.
Who will be at the game?
Americans and plenty of them. All estimates suggest Sunday’s crowd will be filled with U.S. soccer fans, which should give the American players a boost.
There will also be a few big names at BC Place. U.S. Vice-President Joe Biden will be in attendance along with his wife Jill. They will be joined by U.S. Ambassador to Canada Bruce Heyman, former U.S. men’s national team player Cobi Jones and former U.S. women’s national team player Mia Hamm.
WATCH: Women’s World Cup fever in Vancouver
Who will not be there?
One person will be conspicious by his absence: FIFA president Sepp Blatter.
Blatter is skipping the Women’s World Cup final. And his No. 2, secretary general Jerome Valcke, is also staying away.
Blatter was initially due to attend Sunday’s final in Vancouver. But his travel plans were downgraded to undetermined.
That changed Tuesday to a no.
There was no immediate word on who will present the trophy to the winning team at BC Place.
-with files from Canadian Press
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