Women's World Cup Finals 2015: Odds for United States vs. Japan Championship
The United States and Japan will add the latest intriguing chapter to their burgeoning rivalry in women’s soccer when the two nations face off in the 2015 World Cup final.
Jill Ellis’ USWNT have been building momentum throughout this competition, and they’ll be the big favourites to land what’d be a third World Cup when they step out at a packed BC Place in Vancouver. But standing in their way is a savvy and solid Japan team, who bested the Americans at this stage four years ago.
So who will it be? An exceptional United States team putting a stamp on their greatness? Or the reigning champions clinging to their crown? Here’s how the bookmakers are seeing things on the cusp of this massive encounter as well as a closer look at how the game will pan out.
To Lift the Trophy
United States: 2-7
Japan: 5-2
Odds courtesy of OddsShark and accurate as of 7:45 a.m. (BST), July 5
United States Too Strong for Japan
There’s nothing worse than coming up short in a penalty shootout, particularly in a major final. But it was a misfortune a substantial portion of this USWNT had to endure in 2011, as Japan shocked the watching world to win their first world title ever.
But to their credit, the American players stood on and watched their opponents take the trophy and celebrate. And you get the impression that’s exactly what’s driving them forward in this tournament and what will propel them to victory in the final.
Here’s a reminder of how the action played out in that match:
In truth, the United States have played similarly in the buildup to this final. They’ve been mechanistic rather than mesmerising, shutting teams out with a tremendous defensive intensity before showcasing a clinical ruthlessness in front of goal.
But their determination to avenge the heartache of four years ago has really captured the imagination of the watching public, as we can see here thanks to former USWNT star Julie Foudy:
Indeed, the United States boast both the talent and temperament to get this job done. But there are plenty still curious about how they will cope with the mental challenge of facing Japan, and it’s a minor potential flaw the reigning champions will surely look to capitalise on in their bid to secure back-to-back titles.
After playing with an assurance throughout the opening stages of this tournament, Japan were undone by some forceful, fundamental tactics from England in the semi-finals. But the Lionesses were wasteful in front of goal, and Japan capitalised on a huge stroke of good fortune to get over the line in the match.
You just wonder if this effervescent USWNT will adopt similarly physical tactics in an attempt to breach Japan’s back line. According to Japan's manager Norio Sasaki, they’ll be ready regardless, per Jonathan Tannenwald of Soccer Morning:
Japan have been at their best in this tournament when smothering their opponents with prolonged pressing and gradually wearing teams down. It’s only natural that some sides have stood off, given the talent available to Sasaki, but England were brave in their pressing last time out and were able to stifle their passing game.
It seems the United States will be able to do the same. The energy available to Ellis in midfield will be the foundation for a strong performance in this final, and although there may be times when Japan have the ball for long spells, when the USWNT do steal possession back, it’ll be in dangerous areas.
With players like Carli Lloyd and Alex Morgan in red-hot form, expect the Americans to capitalise on those opportunities and seize an iconic triumph.
Prediction: United States 2-0 Japan
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