The United States are headed to the finals of the 2015 World Cup as they await to see if it will be a rematch of the finals back in 2011. In that year, the Americans lost in penalty kicks to Japan who became the champions. Now, Japan is back in the semifinals and looking to repeat as World Cup champions as they face an England team in new territory.
England is in the semi-finals of the World Cup for the first time. The team has never been in this position before as they face a team very familiar with this point of the tournament. Japan is the reigning World Cup champion team and will be looking to rematch the Americans while England wants to make history. They understand that the task of getting to Japan will not be easy as the Japanese will prove to be a difficult target coming into the tournament as heavy favorites.
"We are two wins away from being world champions," England manager Mark Sampson said, via the Daily Mail. "If you had said that to us 18 months ago I'm not sure anyone in our group, bar myself and some of the staff, would have believed that could come true. But as time has gone on the players have grown in belief, and now the team feels as if something is happening, something is going on. This tournament has transpired in a way that gives us huge belief that this team will find a way to get themselves through to the final. We know the task is huge, but we really feel that something is happening that gives us that sense of belief, that higher sense of purpose that we will find a way to be the last team to go home."
This match is a clash of styles. Japan has moved through the tournament much like England in that they have five one-goal wins, but they have been winning possession battles throughout which will be key. They have swift ball movement and the ability to shake off defenders until late in the game. The injury to Kozue Ando hurt the Japanese, but Mana Iwabuchi is emerging as a star. England will counter with Jodie Taylor who they believe is their best goal scorer. England is unbeaten in their last three matches against Japan and beat them back in group play of 2011, but this is a new team with pressure much higher now.
