World champions Japan survived a spirited French fightback to book their place in the final of the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament and keep their dreams of a gold medal alive.
Charles Dickens referred to London ‘as a tale of two cities’, well here in London’s Wembley Stadium, this was a tale of two halves. The first, lacking in chances and incident, the second a feast of football.
Although it was France who began the brighter of the sides, it was the Asians who took the lead with 32 minutes on the clock. Wendie Renard needlessly fouled Yuki Ogimi 35 yards from goal and up stepped Nadeshiko skipper Aya Miyama to take the resulting free-kick.
She floated a delightful ball into the box, which Sarah Bouhaddi came to claim, but she missed it completely. Ogimi managed to squeeze a shot home, despite the best efforts of Sandrine Soubeyrand.
Norio Sasaki’s side began the second half on the front foot and doubled their advantage when the inability to deal with another Miyama free-kick cost the French. Again, the Japan skipper sent over a floating free-kick, Mizuho Sakaguchi lost her marker and had the time and space to head the ball home from 12 yards.
From then on, it was all France. Corine Franco, Marie-Laure Delie and Louisa Necib all had chances but were frustrated by wayward finishing or the goalkeeping heroics of Fukumoto. Undeterred, still they poured forward. In the 71st minute, Franco found Delie in the box, who turned sharply and produced a goalbound shot which the Japanese No1 did well to save low to her left.
Five minutes later, they pulled one back. Elodie Thomis embarked on a strong run down the right flank, played the ball inside to Delie who found Eugenie Le Sommer. The substitute produced a superb right-footed finish.
Shortly afterwards France were handed a great chance to equalise when Sakaguchi checked Le Sommer’s run inside the box leaving referee Quetzalli Alvarado no other option but to award a penalty kick. Up stepped the experienced Bussaglia, who fired wide of the post.
With them committing so many forward in search of the equaliser, there was always the danger that Japan could hit them on the break and they almost scored a third from a quick counter-attack, Ogimi hitting the post with just Bouhaddi to beat.
There was still time for one last piece of drama when makeshift striker Renard almost equalised, but Fukumoto pulled off a fine save. Shortly after the final whistle went, putting Japan through to a final with Canada or USA and sending France to Coventry for the bronze medal match.viafifa.com
*A moment of true sportsmanship, as Japan consoles a defeated France
France’s Camille Abilly looks on as Japan celebrates their victory at the end of their women’s football semi final Japan vs France event at Wembley stadium during the London 2012 Olympic Games on Aug. 6, in London. Japan won 2-1.
France’s Camille Abilly is consoled by a player from Japan after Japan defeated France in the women’s semi-final soccer match at Wembley Stadium in London at the London Olympic Games, on Aug. 6.
Japan’s Aya Miyama chats with dejected France player Camille Abilly at the end of their women’s football semi final Japan vs France event at Wembley stadium during the London 2012 Olympic Games on Aug. 6, in London.
It is not often you see players of opposing teams going out of their way to console one another after a game has ended. Their interaction is usually limited to a friendly handshake or pat on the back.
These images of Japan’s Aya Miyama comforting France’s Camille Abilly, after Japan defeated France 2-1 in a close semi-final match, stood out from other post-game reaction photos. While we have no way of knowing what words were exchanged between the players (and we can only assume there was a bit of a language barrier between them), their body language speaks for itself. It is clear Miyama took time to try and comfort the distraught Abilly, and Abilly seems to eventually accept her kind gesture.
In such intense competitions, where emotions run high with adrenaline, it is reassuring to know that these Olympians are not only extraordinary athletes, but show true sportsmanship as well.