USA vs Japan. Should be a good game. Anyone watching?

The USA has been a funny team. They really haven't looked that great in any game, but they are so big and strong and talented, they haven't had to play 90 minutes yet. And when they do turn it on, they have been devastatingly explosive.

Japan has been getting quietly better every game. They are fast and they handle the ball very well, and nobody picked them to win either of their elimination games; but they did.

So who's going to win? My guess is that the US is simply too physically strong for Japan and we'll see another game won by a late goal or two by the Americans.

John

0-0 at half time and I was wrong about almost everything. The US has been organized and creative and have really carried the play. Japan is fortunate to be even at this point.

About the only thing I was right about is the physical strength of the Americans.

John

This is a fantastic game. Despite the score it is pretty clear that the Americans are dominating on offense. The Japanese defense, though, has been doing a good job against the constant on goal onslaught by America.

This may well come down to a shootout, where I think the Americans will have a distinct advantage.

But we shall see!

Best-

Bob

Oh well. Right about the shootout, wrong about the advantage.

Great game, though.

Wow what a game! IMO the two best players on the field scored the two late goals: Wambauch for the US and Sawa for Japan. Both fantastic goals from players who really stood out all game.

As for the penalties, who could have predicted this? The USA were absolutely clinical against Brazil, and Japan had not gone to penalties in the World Cup ever. Should be a cinch for the US, you'd think.

Anyway congratulations to the USA for playing their best game of the tournament and congratulations to Japan for showing, once again, that resilience can lead to fortune.

John

Well said, John.