EDMONTON: An injury-time own goal from England defender Laura Bassett put Japan into the World Cup final with a 2-1 victory on Wednesday, setting up a title rematch with the United States.

The United States, who lost the 2011 final to Japan on penalties, booked their ticket to Sunday’s championship game in Vancouver with a 2-0 win over top-ranked Germany on Tuesday.

Bassett’s attempted sliding clearance from a low cross crashed off the underside of the bar and over the goal-line to end England’s dreams of a first final in the cruellest of fashions.

“It is heartbreaking to go out in the last minute after a good performance where we ran ourselves into the ground,” said England midfielder Jill Scott. “We couldn’t have given any more, but football is a cruel game sometimes.”

Bassett, 31, was in tears after the final whistle and had to be consoled by England coach Mark Sampson as she walked off the field, the Lionesses stunned, shocked and crying at the heartbreaking final turn. “It’s OK to cry. They left everything on the field,” Sampson said.

Sampson was especially proud of Bassett, whose heroics helped England to the brink of the championship match.

“Laura Bassett has epitomised this England team this tournament,” he said. “She has been courageous, strong... she kept this team together. She didn’t deserve that. She’ll be remembered as a hero.”

Japanese players gathered at the other end of the field in celebration — and relief — in realising how close they came to squandering a chance to defend their Women’s World Cup title.

“I was very happy,” said player of the match Saori Ariyoshi, referring to watching the ball go in. “Well, we did it. That’s how I felt.”

The teams had been set for extra time after sharing two controversial first-half penalties — Aya Miyama’s 33rd minute spot kick being cancelled out by Fara Williams’ penalty seven minutes later.

England, playing in their first Women’s World Cup semi-final, struck the bar twice in the second half and went close with several other opportunities but that counted for nothing after Bassett’s mishap which left her distraught.

Defending champions Japan again left their victory late — their quarter-final win over Australia had come with an 87th minute winner.

While England were left devastated, Japan coach Norio Sasaki told reporters his team deserved to win because they had been willing to risk defeat by pushing forward in the dying moments.

“The goal was a result of everyone pushing us on with their support and came from our determination to win,” he said. “England played really well. I want my players to go into the final not being afraid of making mistakes.”

England were bright and active from the outset as Japan struggled to find their rhythm.

But the Asian champions grabbed the lead in the 33rd minute through a controversial penalty, Ariyoshi got goal side of England left-back Claire Rafferty who, struggling to catch up, nudged her in the back and the referee pointed to the penalty spot.

Television replays, however, showed the foul had taken place outside of the penalty area but Miyama drove the ball into the open left corner as Karen Bardsley guessed the wrong way.

But seven minutes later, England were back level after captain Steph Houghton fell easily in the box following little contact by Japan forward Yuki Ogimi. Williams rifled the penalty into goal past Ayumi Kaihori to equalise for the sixth-ranked English.

After the break, the ‘Lionesses’ came close three times to getting ahead — a superb shot on the turn from Toni Duggan which crashed against the cross-bar, substitute Ellen White’s curling shot brilliantly pushed around the post and then from a corner Jill Scott flashed a header wide.

They struck the woodwork again in the 78th minute when a miss-hit Rafferty cross looped against the top of the bar but then came the dramatic finish.

Published in Dawn, July 3rd, 2015

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