Japan stun hosts in Womens World Cup

FIFA Womens World Cup 2011 Quarter-Finals

Japan 1:0 Germany aet
France 1:1 England aet; France won 4-3 on penalties

Japan's women's team recorded a famous victory in Wolfsburg by knocking out hosts and World Cup holders Germany 1-0 after extra time, while France needed penalties to get past a dogged England in Leverkusen.

The Japanese victory was a real upset against the favourites, who have not lost a World Cup game since 1999. After a game in which the Germans had the lion's share of chances to score, substitute Karina Maruyama broke the deadlock in the 108th minute, firing into the corner from an acute angle. Japan, despite scoring against the run of play, enjoyed 54% of possession.



England were two minutes from a first appearance in the last four when a well-placed shot from Elise Bussaglia took the game into extra-time, leveling Jill Scott's dipping effort on the hour mark. France were probably more deserving of passage overall, but came very close to elimination as they failed to find the England net.

Hope Powell, the Three Lionesses' coach, gambled by making three switches in eight minutes before the French equaliser, leaving Kelly Smith to hobble around in agony for half an hour while other England players pulled up with cramp, unable to be substituted.

The Dunkirk spirit took over however and France continued to fail to make their superiority count. Camile Abily missed their first penalty but Les Bleues advanced after Claire Rafferty pulled her kick wide and England skipper Faye White hit the woodwork.




Sunday: Brazil v USA (Dresden 1730h), Sweden v Australia (Augsburg 1300h)

Semi-Finals 13th July:
France v Brazil/USA
Japan v Sweden/Australia

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