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Women's World Cup: Heartbreaking own goal ends England dreams at the death Women's World Cup: Heartbreaking own goal ends England dreams at the death
(34 minutes later)
England’s World Cup dream ended in the cruellest fashion here on Wednesday night when Laura Bassett’s stoppage-time own goal redirected Mark Sampson’s Lionesses from the final in Vancouver to Heathrow. They must travel via Saturday’s third place play-off against Germany here while Japan will face the USA in the final the next day. England’s World Cup dream ended in the cruellest fashion here last night when Laura Bassett’s stoppage time own goal redirected Mark Sampson’s Lionesses from the final in Vancouver to Heathrow.
Prince William and David Cameron had been at the front of the queue of well wishers sending the Lionesses “good luck” messages on Wednesday but Norio Sasaki was not convinced. They must travel via Saturday’s third place play off against Germany here, while Japan face USA in the final the next day.
“There are places where England fall unintentionally apart,” said Japan’s coach, somewhat sniffily, shortly before kick off. “I wonder how they have been so successful so far?” Prince William and David Cameron had been at the front of the queue of well wishers sending the Lionesses good luck messages on Wednesday, but Norio Sasaki was not convinced.
Shortly after kick-off Jodie Taylor looked set to ruffle his confidence after connecting with Karen Bardsley’s long kick but directed her volley slightly off target. “There are places where England fall unintentionally apart,” said Japan’s coach, somewhat sniffily, shortly before kick-off. “I wonder how they have been so successful so far?”
After that much of the first half was all about Japan dominating possession with the Lionesses struggling to second guess Aya Miyami’s midfield promptings and sometimes wrong footed by Rumi Utsugi’s left foot. Shortly after kick-off, Jodie Taylor looked to ruffle his confidence after connecting with Karen Bardsley’s long kick, but directed her volley slightly off target.
The good news for Sampson was that the Nadeshiko struggled to get behind a supremely well organised defence and Bardsley was barely troubled. Indeed on admittedly rare counter-attacks, invariably featuring long balls, Jill Scott and Taylor the Lionesses looked reasonably threatening. After that, much of the first half was all about Japan dominating possession with the Lionesses struggling to second-guess Aya Miyami’s midfield promptings, and sometimes wrongfooted by Rumi Utsugi.
Everything changed when Claire Rafferty shoved Saori Ariyoshi over just inside the area – England protested, forlornly, it was just outside – and Miayma stepped up to take the penalty. Despite delaying her kick and then stuttering in the run up, she sent Bardsley the wrong way. The good news for Sampson was that the Nadeshiko struggled to get behind a supremely well organised defence, and Bardsley was barely troubled. Indeed, on admittedly rare counter-attacks invariably featuring long balls, Jill Scott and Taylor, the Lionesses looked reasonably threatening.
If Sampson had a case for arguing Rafferty’s inital push had been made marginally outside the area he could have had no complaints when England – due £35,000 per woman bonuses had they lifted the trophy – subsequently won a distinctly iffy penalty of their own. Everything changed when Claire Rafferty shoved Saori Ariyoshi just inside the area – England protested, forlornly, that it was just outside – and Miayma stepped up to take the penalty. Despite delaying her kick and then stuttering in the run-up, she sent Bardsley the wrong way.
This time Steph Houghton tumbled all too easy in the face of Yuki Ogimi’s challenge but the referee bought it and Fara Williams stepped up to the spot. Sampson’s set piece specialist did not let him down, her kick comfortably evading Ayumi Kaihori’s grasp. If Sampson had a case for arguing that Rafferty’s initial push had been made marginally outside the area, he could have had no complaints when England – due £35,000 per woman bonuses should they lift the trophy – subsequently won a distinctly iffy penalty of their own.
With Taylor’s knee – she had surgery only two months ago – forcing her replacement by Ellen White after an hour Japan looked relieved. They appeared even more so as Toni Duggan’s shot rebounded off the bar. This time, Steph Houghton tumbled all too easy in the face of Yuki Ogimi’s challenge, but the referee bought it and Fara Williams stepped up to the spot. Sampson’s set-piece specialist did not let him down, her kick comfortably evading Ayumi Kaihori’s grasp.
Sasakai introduced Mana Iwabuchi – aka “The Killer” from the bench – and she promptly began causing England all sorts of problems. So many indeed there was a strong suspicion Sampson instructed Bardsley to fake an injury and used the break in play to regroup his team. With Taylor’s knee – she had surgery only two months ago – forcing her replacement by Ellen White after an hour, Japan looked relieved. They appeared even more so as Toni Duggan’s shot rebounded off the bar.
It was to no avail when Bassett could only re-direct Nahomi Kawasumi’s free kick just over the line. Sasaki introduced Mana Iwabuchi – aka “The Killer” – from the bench, and she began causing England all sorts of problems. So many indeed there was a strong suspicion Sampson instructed Bardsley to fake an injury and used the break in play to re-group his Lionesses.
It was to no avail, when Bassett could only re-direct Nahomi Kawasumi’s cross just over the line.