Now, after defeating France (3-1) in seemingly invincible fashion on Wednesday, the media are heaping praise upon them and stoking grand expectations for a national victory on Sunday when the U.S. plays Japan for the World Cup championship. Japan advanced after defeating Sweden (3-1) in equally invincible fashion also on Wednesday…
Even so, my underdog sentimentality is such that I’ll be pulling for Japan; not least because, after this year’s earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear meltdown, the Japanese can really do with a good shot of national pride.
Go Japan!
(Belated, fickle interest in Women’s World Cup, The iPINIONS Journal, July 15, 2011)
Clearly I’m delighted Japan won; although, I suspect even those who were cheering for the U.S. are not too devastated. Hell, even the U.S. players don’t seem upset:
If any other country was to win this, then I’m really happy and proud for Japan. Deep down inside I really thought it was our destiny to win it. But maybe it was Japan’s.
(U.S. player Carli Lloyd, USATODAY, July 18, 2011)
But talk about missed opportunities … literally. The U.S. easily outplayed Japan for virtually 98% of the match. This was highlighted by the fact that the U.S. had almost four times as many direct shots on goal, yet ended up at the end of regulation and extra time in a 2-2 tie with Japan.
Then Japan just seemed to be fulfilling its destiny as it easily defeated the U.S. 3-1 in the penalty shootout to win the championship. Indeed, nothing demonstrates what a matter of manifest destiny this was quite like Japan’s record of 25-consecutive losses to the U.S. in previous matches. In other words, the U.S. women choked! (It is also interesting to note that the U.S. won its celebrated 1999 World Cup by defeating China 5-4 in a penalty shootout. Turnabout, as we say, is fair play.)
More to the point, though, if ever there were a sporting event that transcended sport, this World Cup match was it. But I see no point in belaboring the obvious reasons for, or the prescience of, my sentimental pick.
Therefore I shall suffice to congratulate Japan on winning its first World Cup. No doubt this will do more to restore this country’s ravaged national pride than any rebuilding effort.