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 The U.S., who lost the 2011 final to the Japan on penalties, booked
their ticket to Sunday's championship game in Vancouver with a 2-0
win over top ranked Germany on Tuesday.
Bassett’s attempted sliding clearance from a low cross, crashed off
the underside of the bar and over the goal-line to end England’s
dreams of a first final in the cruelest of fashions.
"It is heartbreaking to go out in the last minute after a good
performance where we ran ourselves into the ground," said ,” said
England midfielder Jill Scott. "We couldn’t have given anymore, but
football is a cruel game sometimes."
The teams had been set for extra-time after sharing two
controversial first half penalties - Aya Miyama’s 33rd minute
spot-kick being canceled out by Fara Williams’ penalty seven minutes
later.
England, playing in their first ever Women’s World Cup semi-final,
struck the bar twice in the second half and went close with several
other opportunities but that counted for nothing after Bassett’s
mishap which left her distraught.
Defending champions Japan again left their victory late - their
quarter-final win over Australia had come with an 87th minute
winner.
While England was left devastated, Japan coach Norio Sasaki told
reporters his team deserved to win because they had been willing to
risk defeat by pushing forward in the dying moments.
"The goal was a result of everyone pushing us on with their support
and came from our determination to win," he said.
"England played really well.
"I want my players to go into the final not being afraid of making
mistakes."
England were bright and active from the outset and striker Jodie
Taylor went close to a first minute opener when she turned sharply,
broke clear of her marker and fired a powerful drive just wide.
Japan struggled to find their rhythm as England worked hard to close
them down in midfield and neutralize their possession style of play.
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The Asian champions grabbed the lead though in the 33rd minute
through a controversial penalty, Saori Ariyoshi got goal side of
England left-back Claire Rafferty who, struggling to catch-up,
nudged her in the back and the referee pointed to the penalty spot.
Television replays, however, showed the foul had taken place outside
of the penalty area but England’s protests were dismissed as Miyami
took her time, with a slow and deliberate run-up, and fired home the
penalty.
Just seven minutes later though and another debatable penalty award
brought England level.
Captain Steph Houghton went down inside the box, possibly after her
heel was clipped by Yuki Ogimi, and New Zealand referee Anna-Marie
Keighley immediately pointed to the spot and Williams cooly
converted.
After the break, the Lionesses came close three times to getting
ahead - a superb shot on the turn from Toni Duggan which crashed
against the cross-bar, substitute Ellen White’s curling shot
brilliantly pushed around the post and then from a corner Jill Scott
flashed a header wide.
The Lionesses struck the woodwork again, in the 78th minute when a
miss hit Rafferty cross looped against the top of the bar but then
came the dramatic finish.
(Reporting by Simon Evans. Editing by Steve Keating.)
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