Giant-killing glory for Japan as women beat US for World Cup

JAPAN'S giant-killing World Cup campaign ended in glory with a penalty shoot-out win over traditional powerhouse the United States in the final.

The States led through Alex Morgan in normal time and Abby Wambach in extra-time, but Aya Miyama and Homare Sawa equalised - the latter taking the tournament golden boot from midfield.

A low-quality shoot-out saw Shannon Boxx, Tobin Heath and Carli Lloyd miss for the favourites before defender Saki Kumagai settled it 3-1 in Japan's favour.

The USA had all the early pressure, Lloyd with the best effort as her drive from just inside the penalty area flashed narrowly over.

Leading striker Wambach then went closest to breaking the deadlock with a fierce right-footed drive which beat keeper Ayumi Kaihori's dive but thundered off the crossbar to safety. Japan finally began to establish themselves in the game but, after a training- ground corner to the edge of the box, Nahomi Kawasumi's wild finish over the bar summed up their lack of penetration.

The breakthrough came in the 69th minute from Morgan, a half-time substitute for the injured Lauren Cheney, who ran on to Megan Rapinoe's long pass, held off Kumagai, took a touch and finished powerfully across Kaihori with her left foot.

But Japan equalised with ten minutes remaining when Rachael Buehler and Alex Krieger got in a mess defending substitute Yuki Nagasato's cross and Miyama took full advantage to take the game into extra time.

Wambach netted her fourth headed goal of the tournament when she stooped to power home the impressive Morgan's cross, but again Japan had something up their sleeves.

Miyama's corner to the near post was met by a leaping backheel from Sawa, which took a slight touch off Wambach and nestled in the net.

Azusa Iwashimizu was shown the first ever red card in a women's World Cup final for a foul on Morgan which denied a goalscoring chance and ensured the penalty shoot-out which ended in joy for the Japanese.