<##IMAGE##> 2011년 월드컵여자축구 대회 최종 결승전 진출권을 따낸 나라는 미국과 일본으로 압축되었다. 13일 열린 4강전에서 일본은 스웨덴을 3대1로 꺾고 결승전 진출권을 쟁취했고, 미국은 프랑스와의 대결에서 3대1로 눌러 이겨 오는 17일(일요일) 오전11시(로스엔젤레스 시간) 최종결승전에서 일본과 맞대결하게 되었다.

일본은 구룹B조에서 2위팀으로 올라와 역사적으로 최초로 월드컵여자축구대회 결승전에 진출하게 되었다. 특히 주최국인 강적 독일을 누르구 올라와 미국과 같은 조의 최강팀인 스웨덴을 3대1로 압도해 축구게 관심을 집중시켰다. 신장이 대부분 단신이지만 속도와 기술에서 뛰어나 장신의 독일팀과 스웨덴을 꺾고 최종결승전까지 진출하게 되었다.

<##IMAGE##> 미국도 구룹C조에서 스웨덴 다음으로 2위팀으로 올라 온 전적을 갖고 있으나 강적 브라질과의 경기에서 장장 120분 경기를 벌여가며 열전을 벌인끝에 운좋게 브라질을 물리쳤고, 그리고 오늘 프랑스와의 경기에서 3대1로 압승을 거둬 결승전에 진출하게 되었다.

ESPN 중계방송의 축구전문가들은 미국팀이 일본팀에 패배해 본 적이 없기 때문에 우승을 예견하고 있으나 일본 선수들의 순발력과 스테미나가 뛰어나 만만치 않다는 예측도 나오고 있다.

아뭏든 이번 월드컵여자축구 최종결승전은 미대륙과 아시와의 대결로 한판 승부가 벌어지게 되어 17일 세계축구애호가들은 이 경기에 대한한 관심을 보이고 있다.

<##IMAGE##>
/////////////////////////////////////

Japan sink Sweden, reach first final

Japan reached the final of the FIFA Women’s World Cup™ for the first time with a deserved 3-1 win over a Sweden side who had previously won every match they had played at Germany 2011.

Twenty years ago the teams met in the tournament in China PR, with the Scandinavians running out 8-0 winners, but there was to be no such repeat in Frankfurt as the Nadeshiko continued their 15-year unbeaten run against their opponents.

<##IMAGE##> Sweden were dealt a blow shortly before kick-off, when inspirational captain Caroline Seger was forced to withdraw from the starting line-up with an injury to her left calf. The 26-year-old sat out of the Blagult’s training session last night, but aggravated the muscle again in the warm-up. Orebro’s Marie a Hammarstrom was the late replacement. Japan also made one change, with Nahomi Kawasumi replacing Yuki Nagasato as the focal point of their attack.

There was a large and receptive crowd of 45,434 at the FIFA Women’s World Cup Stadium, with the roof not only acting as a shelter from the heavy showers which had affected Hessen during the day, but also as a sounding board for the fans’ loud cheers to bounce off.

It was the Swedish supporters who were singing after ten minutes. Homare Sawa’s mis-placed pass was latched on to by Oqvist, who powered past Azusa Iwashimizu and hit a shot which flew over Ayumi Kaihori, via a slight deflection off Saki Kumagai, and into the net.

The Sweden forward had a hand in the game’s next goal, but unfortunately for the her it was at the wrong end. Following a powerful run down the centre from Shinobu Ohno, the ball was played to Aya Miyama on the left. She crossed into the box and, under intense pressure from Oqvist, Kawasumi’s touch took the ball beyond Hedvig Lindahl.

<##IMAGE##> Following a spell in which the teams traded spells of possession, the game"s next real chance came when Japan won a free-kick on the edge of the area following Charlotte Rohlin’s foul on Kawasumi. Predictably, Miyama stepped up to take the free-kick, which almost caught Lindahl off-guard before she recovered well to push the ball around her right-hand post.

Sweden, on the other hand, were struggling to create any real opportunities and balls played down the channels for Lotta Schelin failed to reach their intended target.

The second-half began at a frenetic pace and the Asians almost took the lead when Ohno’s dipping half-volley clipped the top of the crossbar. On the hour mark they managed it. Following good build-up play down the right, the ball was played along the edge of the box before it was swung into the danger zone. Lindahl came to claim it but failed to make it, and Sawa was on hand to head home her fifth goal of the tournament.

<##IMAGE##> Four minutes later Japan doubled their advantage. Lindahl came out to deal with a long ball which seemed destined to reach Kozue Ando, but her clearance fell straight to Kawasumi, who hit a hopeful shot from 35 yards. The 25-year-old forward seemed as delighted as the Japanese fans to see her effort fly over the Sweden goalkeeper and defence and ripple the back of the net.

With a shots on goal ratio of 11 to one in favour of Japan, Thomas Dennerby sent on Jessica Landstrom, Sofia Jakobsson and Antonia Goransson for Linda Forsberg, Marie Hammarstrom and Oqvist respectively, in a bid to bring his side back into the match. Although Sweden enjoyed a greater territorial advantage, the hard-working Japan defence limited them to just a handful of half-chances.

Indeed, it was Norio Sasaki’s side who remained the more threatening in the final stages and they closed the game out extremely well to book a place in Sunday’s final, also here in Frankfurt, against USA. Sweden, however, must regroup to face France in Sinsheim on Saturday evening in the match for third place.

Player of the match: Aya Miyama (JPN)

//////////////////////////////////

*관련 보도자료 보기


한국 정부가 자칭 <자유민주주의>라고 선전하면서도 알권리를 차단해 왔습니다. 남측 당국은 한국에 거주하는 독자들이 이 보도 자료들을 볼수 없도록 인터네트 열람을 봉쇄하고 있습니다. 그래서 <민족통신>은 한국 독자들이 twitter 와 facebook을 통하여 이 자료들을 열람할 수 있도록 하였습니다. 그 주소들은 다음과 같습니다.

www.facebook.com/kilnam.roh

혹은
www.twitter.com/#!/minjoktongshin

USA are into the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup Final™ with two late goals eventually subduing a brave France 3-1 in Monchengladbach.

The Americans, who will compete in their first decider since winning on home soil in 1999, will face the winner of tonight’s second semi-final between Japan and Sweden.

<##IMAGE##> The action-packed match was locked 1-1 until Abby Wambach and substitute Alex Morgan scored twice in the space of three minutes in the latter stages to end France’s dreams of a first Final appearance.

Both teams came out of the blocks fast in wet conditions at the Stadion im Borussia-Park seemingly determined to take the game to their opponents. However it was USA who took the early advantage with Lauren Cheney deftly deflecting the ball home at the near post on nine minutes, following Heather O’Reilly’s powerful run and cross down the left flank.

Approaching the half hour mark Louisa Necib fired on target from the edge of the penalty area with Hope Solo forced to react quickly and tip over the crossbar. Almost immediately France struck the crossbar through a well-hit Sonia Bompastor effort from the corner of the penalty area, after Necib laid off a free-kick.

Les Bleues were enjoying a strong period peppering the USA goal with a number of efforts from distance.

<##IMAGE##> Then it was USA’s opportunity to attack with Abby Wambach twice coming close in a matter of minutes before the interval. A lightning raid saw Shannon Boxx deliver a perfect cross to Wambach at the back post but the American striker could only direct her header across the face of goal from an awkward angle. Wambach could then have scored at the near post in a move reminiscent of Cheney’s goal, only for the No20 to stab her shot wide.

The second period continued in a similar vein to the first, with high tempo and end-to-end action.

France restored parity ten minutes after the interval with a somewhat lucky goal, although one that proved reward for their persistent attacking endeavour. Bompastor played a searching cross into the penalty area which snuck in off the far post, with the ball having eluding Solo who was distracted by Gaetane Thiney’s presence.

French goalkeeper Berangere Sapowicz made a crucial stop at the feet of Morgan as the substitute seemed certain to score from a rebound.

The Americans got the breakthrough with 11 minutes remaining as the physically imposing Wambach scored with a towering header at the back post from a perfect Cheney corner. The goal saw Wambach draw level with Michelle Akers on 12 goals as the leading USA goalscorer in the FIFA Women’s World Cup. Three minutes later the contest was effectively over as Morgan concluded a swift counter-attack with a smart finish past the exposed Sapowicz.

Player of the match: Abby Wambach (USA)


*동영상 보기: 미국과 프랑스 경기 주요장면들

//////////////////////////////////

*관련 보도자료 보기


한국 정부가 자칭 <자유민주주의>라고 선전하면서도 알권리를 차단해 왔습니다. 남측 당국은 한국에 거주하는 독자들이 이 보도 자료들을 볼수 없도록 인터네트 열람을 봉쇄하고 있습니다. 그래서 <민족통신>은 한국 독자들이 twitter 와 facebook을 통하여 이 자료들을 열람할 수 있도록 하였습니다. 그 주소들은 다음과 같습니다.

www.facebook.com/kilnam.roh

혹은
www.twitter.com/#!/minjoktongshin