Japan won its first ever FIFA Women’s World Cup Soccer

 Japan wins its first FIFA championship

Japan won its first ever FIFA Women’s World Cup, beating the United States 3 to 1 on penalty kicks in Germany on Sunday.
This was the first time Japan had ever advanced to the final. The US is ranked at the top of FIFA world rankings.
24 minutes into the second half, US got the opening goal.
But 12 minutes later, Aya Miyama tied the game. The second half ended in a draw sending the game into extra time.
At 14 minutes into overtime, Abby Wambach scored with a header and gave US a 2-1 lead.
But 12 minutes into the second half of extra time, Homare Sawa pushed in another score bringing the game to a 2-2 draw that lasted until the end of the period.
During the following penalty shoot-out, the Japanese goalie, Ayumi Kaihori, succeeded in blocking 2 US kicks, giving Japan its first soccer championship.

Captain, coach assess Japan’s World Cup win

Japan’s Captain, Homare Sawa, said she still can’t believe the victory but that it was a result of the team’s never-give-up spirit.
Sawa said she gave it her all, running across the pitch until the very end of the game.
She said it was exciting to win in her 5th World Cup appearance.
Japan Coach Norio Sasaki praised his players, and said support from the Japanese public helped them prevail.
He said frankly he was surprised at the victory, adding that he had no idea which side would win the penalty shoot-out. He said Japanese players were excellent despite their height disadvantage.

Newspapers rush extras on World Cup win

Newspapers rushed out extra editions in Tokyo Monday morning, delivering the news of Japan’s first-ever victory in the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Outside Tokyo’s Shibuya railway station, a newspaper began distributing 2,000 copies of its extra at 10 AM. They were all gone within 30 minutes.
A teenage girl said she got up early and watched the game live on TV. She said she was so excited that tears came to her eyes when the team finally beat the United States after repeatedly evening the score. She said it made her proud as a woman.
A man in his 50s said he never thought Japan could beat the United States. He thanked the Japanese team, which he said encouraged the country as it struggles to overcome the March 11th disaster.