Japan, USA set for World Cup final rematch

Defending champions Japan face a United States team desperate to regain the title they last won 16 years ago as the Women's World Cup reaches its climax in Canada.

Japan beat England 2-1 in the semi-final and the United States brushed aside top-ranked Germany 2-0 to set up a repeat of the 2011 final.

Over 53,000 fans are due to attend this third major showdown between the two countries in Vancouver (kick-off 1600 local, 2300GMT) with one noticeable absentee - Sepp Blatter.

FIFA's retiring president said earlier in the day he won't be taking any travel risks until the myriad of corruption allegations rocking world football's beleaguered governing body are cleared up.

Japan, nicknamed 'the Nadeshiko' - a pink flower symbolising grace and beauty - won the 2011 World Cup crown in dramatic fashion in Frankfurt, Germany.

The United States, World Cup winners in 1991 and 1999, twice relinquished a one-goal lead before succumbing in a penalty shootout.

But the Americans took the Olympic gold ahead of Japan in London in 2012.
This time the Americans can count on massive support from their fans who have travelled over the border and are expected to outnumber the Japanese at the BC Place Stadium.

"We're in Canada but it's ironic that we feel that we're at home without the pressure of being at home, people are painting their faces, coming across the border," said US star Abby Wambach, who is bidding to add the world title to her two Olympic gold.

"It's about the fans because without them we wouldn't be here," added Wambach, 35, the 2012 FIFA Women's World Player of the Year.

"For me it's like business as usual to go out there and get the result we want.

"Finals can get messy, whether it's an injury, a refereeing decision, whatever it is.

"I'm ready to help my team in this game in any capacity. If it means coming off the bench, staying on the bench all I want when the final whistle blows is that we have one more goal than them."

But Japan coach Norio Sasaki warned the Asian champions would not be intimidated by the thousands of rival fans.

"There will probably be more supporters cheering on the USA, but I think the Nadeshiko can convert that to their own power," said Sasaki.

- 'Just two teams battling' -

This time Japan are less of a surprise than they were four years ago when they triumphed in a win that embodied the spirit of a nation struggling to recover from a devastating earthquake and tsunami.
"They are less of a surprise, last time they came out of nowhere," said Megan Rapinoe, who plays just over the border with Seattle Reign.

"We know them a little bit better and they know us," the 30-year-old midfielder continued.

"I know what it feels like to lose one. We know we have the team to go out there and do it.

"We don't have to worry about anything else, who we're going to play next, how the groups are going to shake out, it's just us two teams battling it out."

She added: "I can't imagine it being much different if we were at home.

"It's been a huge factor for us since we started out in Winnipeg. Hoping it will be the same in Vancouver."

Japan will be boosted by the return of teammate Kozue Ando, who broke her ankle in the opening game, and returned home for surgery.

Midfielder Ando is back in Vancouver to cheer her team on from the sidelines.

"Our team is only complete when she is with us and she's coming back to Vancouver and we are going to win the World Cup together with her," said Japan captain Aya Miyama.

Defender Saki Kumagai warned her fourth-ranked team were determined to hold their title against the world number two team.

"It's a revenge (match) certainly for both sides because four years ago we had the final in Germany and for us two years ago we lost the final in the Olympics," she said.

"We have to be very aggressive from the first touch and as a team."
Source: AFP