Japan reach final after England’s injury-time own-goal

Defending champions to face USA in the Women’s World Cup final after a dramatic semi-final win.

Semi finals - Japan vs England
Japan had won the 2011 edition by beating the US in the final [EPA]

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

The US, who lost the 2011 final to the 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 cruelest of fashions.

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 ever 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 to late – their quarter-final win over Australia had come with an 87th minute winner.

Source: Reuters