Women’s World Cup Final Preview and Prediction: USA vs Japan

By Soccer

The Women’s World Cup Final will be played in Frankfurt, Germany on July 17th between powerhouse USA and first-time finalists Japan. The USA has won the title twice before and have also played in all four Olympic soccer finals. Japan, as a nation, see a win here as a great morale booster after the devastating earthquake and tsunami that struck the country earlier year. It’s basically a David against Goliath scenario.

In fact, Japanese coach Norio Sasaki presented a slideshow of a devastated Japan to his squad before they knocked off reigning champions Germany 1-0 in extra time in the quarterfinals. The motivational tactic worked and they also beat previously unbeaten Sweden 3-1 in the semifinals.

Emotionally, fourth-ranked Japan has an edge, but the Americans have also captured the heart of their nation with their never-say-die attitude, shown by a comeback penalty shootout win over Brazil after tying the game in the dying seconds in the quarterfinals. They rode that high to a 3-1 win over France in the semifinals. This appears to be a game where both clubs will be viewed as winners no matter who is victorious.

The Japanese squad isn’t as skilled as the Americans, but they make up for it in desire and the ability to keep possession of the ball. The Americans are more offensively gifted, led by Abby Wambach and Megan Rapinoe. However, Japan’s Homare Sawa, in her fifth World Cup tournament, has four goals in the event so far and is joint leading scorer with Brazil’s Marta.

The top-ranked USA hasn’t won the World Cup since 1999 and will definitely be hungry, especially after knowing how good it feels to be crowned world champions in the past.

Both teams will likely line up in a 4-4-2 formation with Rachel Buehler eligible to play for the USA after sitting out a suspension due to her red card against Brazil. The key players for Japan will be Miyama, Sawa, and Nahomi Kawasumi. For the Americans it’ll be Wambach, Rapinoe, and Lauren Cheney.

Japan’s squad has an average height of 5-foot-4, so they’ll want to keep the ball on the ground. Wambach is 5-11 and the American will try to use her height to advantage. Japan has struggled in recent games against the USA, but anything can happen once the whistle blows.

Prediction

However, it seems that one of these teams is destined to be crowned World Cup Champions, the problem is we’re not going to know who it is until the game’s over. But basing a prediction on skill, it looks like the USA should emerge as winners by two goals at the most.

Pick: USA +112

Full Odds

Sportsbook 5dimes has the USA favoured at odds of + 112 with Japan listed at +276. A draw after 90 minutes is at +241.

This game will mark the end of another successful Women’s World Cup.  There aren’t a lot of sports taking place over the remainder of the summer so attention will drift to the NFL.  During the season you can find NFL betting picks at our friends website.  He really knows the game and should help people betting on NFL games turn a profit this season.


Leave a Comment