Women's World Cup Schedule 2015: Guide, Predictions for Finals Fixtures
The United States and Japan have been the two dominant forces in women's football in the last four years, with an Olympic title and World Cup win to their names, respectively. But the latest and most significant chapter in their burgeoning rivalry will be written this weekend, with the two sides set to meet in the final of the 2015 World Cup.
BC Place in Vancouver, British Columbia, will host the showpiece, with a sellout crowd set to provide a colourful and vibrant backdrop. It'll be a fitting venue for what should be an engrossing game between two sides that play the game in contrasting but equally enchanting styles.
Bleacher Report's Michael Cummings gave his thoughts ahead of the final:
Here's a rundown of both sides ahead of this prestigious occasion and a prediction on which nation will be crowned world champions come Sunday evening.
Fixture Guide
Date: Sunday, July 5
Time: 7 p.m. (ET), 12:00 a.m. (BST, July 6)
Venue: BC Place, Vancouver, British Columbia
Japan Chasing Consecutive World Cup Wins
The dramatic final embers of Japan's semi-final win against England has taken some of the gloss off what has been an excellent tournament for the holders on the whole.
Yes, they were fortunate to progress against an obdurate Lionesses team, but the reigning champions deserve credit for the manner in which they clung on in the match and broke forward so swiftly in stoppage time. They're a determined and versatile group of players.
As we can see here, courtesy of Donnovan Bennett of Sportsnet 360, Japan are experts at keeping the ball, too:
While Norio Sasaki's side typically dominate the ball and grind teams down, what will be important against an outstanding United States defence is adding more incision to their play. England were able to shut down Japan easily in the middle of the park during the semi-final, and that's something that gave Mark Sampson's side a major foothold in the game.
Indeed, despite scoring two goals in the game, Japan actually only had one shot on target, per OptaJoe:
They'll need to improve in all areas to best the USWNT, but the key factor here is tempo.
If the passing is ponderous and indecisive, the United States will sit, nick the ball and spring. But if Japan fizz it around with intent, something they are capable of doing, there's enough quality within their ranks to cause any team problems.
United States Beset on Revenge
The momentum has been building and building behind the United States squad at this World Cup, and now they have the perfect opportunity to banish the lingering ghosts of four years ago.
Mentally, this will be an almighty task for Jill Ellis and her players. But if this team plays with the same kind of organisation, ruthlessness and physicality that was on show in the semi-final triumph over Germany, it's tough to see Japan coping with the quality of this USWNT.
As Bob Ley of ESPN noted, the United States have had an extra day of rest ahead of this one, too:
So expect this group to be replenished and raring to go when kick-off comes on Sunday. Japan were a little tepid at times during their match against England, and although it's a style that may not be easy on the eye, expect the USWNT to test out the Japan defence with some direct passes up front and tenacious pressing.
Do that, and they should create the better chances in the game. Indeed, it seems as though the most likely factor preventing a United States triumph is mentality; as we can see thanks to ESPN Stats & Info, the champions do have a decent record in this fixture:
But America will be toasting their fine team come Sunday evening. Not only do they have an emboldened and bolstered mental strength, the United States have shown on a number of occasions that the solidity needed to come through these big games is bristling.
It may be a nervy one to watch for supporters, with Japan likely to have the bulk of possession. But when the game becomes stretched and athleticism is just as vital as technical flair, the United States will take over.
Prediction: United States 2-0 Japan
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