MIAMI, July 2, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- After four
years of waiting, the United
States finally has a chance to play Japan again for the FIFA Women's World Cup
Canada 2015™ title this Sunday, July
5 at 6:30PM/5:30C/3:30P on
TELEMUNDO, NBCDeportes.com digital platforms and the NBC Deportes
EN VIVO EXTRA mobile app. Sunday's game is a repeat of the
Germany 2011 Women's World Cup
final, a tactical, balanced and exciting game that remained tied
until the penalty phase, when Japan scored the winning kick. The United States got its revenge the
following year, beating Japan to
take home the gold at the 2012 London Olympic Games, but beating
Japan at the soccer World Cup has
remained an obsession for the US women, who won the title in 1991
and 1999.
In preparation for this eagerly anticipated rematch, two NBC
Deportes soccer experts – veteran narrator and commentator
Sammy Sadovnik and former Mexican
national team member and sports commentator Andrea Rodebaugh – shared some of their thoughts
about what to expect from this historic game.
United States:
- The US has participated in all seven FIFA Women's World Cup™,
winning two and taking second place once.
- The team's performance improved over the course of the
tournament and it must keep up this drive under pressure in the
final.
- Despite being undefeated in Canada, the US does not have a perfect record,
having tied Sweden 0-0 in the
first round.
- The US defense has been extremely effective, letting only one
goal past up to this point.
- Coach Jill Ellis has favored an
effective defensive strategy over spectacular offensive
strikes.
- Goalkeeper Hope Solo hasn't had
to do much so far thanks to her teammates' diligent defense, but
she will have to stay on her toes to avoid any costly mistakes. She
has kept the US goal safe for 523 minutes, letting in only a single
ball in the team's first match against Australia.
- The US changed its formation in the semifinals against
Germany, shifting from 1-4-4-2 in
the group phase to 1-4-3-3, allowing for better control over the
ball and a more effective offense.
- In Sunday's game, the US women must be patient and avoid giving
possession to Japan, which is
expert at controlling the ball.
- Alex Morgan will be key to the
team's chances for success. After a less than stellar start, she
recovered much of her form and confidence over the course of the
tournament and is indispensable in steering her teammates toward
the goal.
Japan:
- Japan has also qualified for
every Women's World Cup but has not brought home as much glory as
the US, winning only once (Germany
2011).
- To beat the US, Japan will
have to play a nearly perfect game and maintain its famed
organization in both defense and offense.
- Its best course of action will be to pass the ball on quickly,
keeping possession by taking advantage of the entire breadth of the
field.
- At a disadvantage to the Americans in terms of strength and
speed, the Nippon women should avoid individual direct challenges,
opting instead to attack and defend as a group.
- They should be especially careful to avoid committing fouls
near the penalty area or giving free or corner kicks to the US,
which has an impressive record of accuracy in set pieces.
For more information and photos,
visit http://www.nbcumv.com/programming/telemundo
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