Morgan Equalizes Against Dominant Japanese

United States 1:1 Japan

By Kara McDermott

With the help of newly minted Seattle Sounder Alex Morgan, the US got a little closer to breaking the hex on them in regard to Japan, as the two World Cup finalists opened play for the 2012 Kirin Cup with a draw in its first fielding of a women’s side.

Early play strongly favored the Japanese squad as they were first to gain as solid a rhythm as the drums of the supportive home crowd. They took every chance to use quick, crisp passes and advanced up the pitch with series of one-touch combinations.

They were the first to be dangerous when in the 11^th minute Shinobu Ohno came down the right side of the goal to challenge goalkeeper Hope Solo. Defender Rachel Buehler gave chase from the left side, and though she could not corral the streaking Ohno, a slide allowed her to get just enough on the ball to disrupt Ohno’s flow and give Solo time to come up and smother the attack.

The tempo shifted briefly to the US’ favor, starting with a free kick in the 13^th minute. A quick succession of three corner kicks came in the next four minutes. The US was unable to capitalize on the opportunities, but certainly showed versatility in utilizing a different formation and ball placement on each corner.

Japan pushed back and in the 23^rd minute Nahomi Kawasumi rocketed a shot just wide of far post from outside the box after receiving a short pass from a corner.

Buehler and sweeper Christie Rampone were the anchors of the squad throughout the match, and were called to duty often. Their combined experience went far in cooly shutting down deep challenges from the quick and crafty Japanese. Cycling forwards kept the Japanese offense in constant flux, requiring solid organization and focus from the American backline.

But the work rate of the Japanese would not be denied. In the 32^nd minute, Japan drew blood in a play that left several US bodies strewn across the turf. The play started with Kawasumi who slotted the ball to Yukari Kinga deep on the right side of the goal. She attempted a short pass across to Yuki Nagasato, but Buehler came through on a slid to intercept.

The ball didn’t go far enough though and Nagasato got a foot on it. Solo was there for a diving block, but once again no clear. Amy LePeilbet threw herself behind Solo from the left side, but Kinga chipped the rebound over the American dominoes for the goal.

The US defense continued under constant pressure. Morgan created a slight relief with a near-goal in the 41^st minute. Pacing down the left side she took a shot from a nearly impossible angle, but the ball went narrowly outside the far post. Replays showed that Japanese goalkeeper Ayumi Kaihori’s fingertips were the real cause of the balls less favorable trajectory, but she was credited with neither the save nor was the US given the corner kick.

The US entered half time behind their opponents, a situation they have not faced since November 18, 2011 in a friendly against Sweden.

Even with the break to reassess, the Americans came back on the pitch from the locker room to find that not much had changed. Japan continued to control the game.

A moment at midfield was particularly telling: Japan had possession of the ball and the US midfield and defense were waiting motionless to see where the play would go. The passivity was in stark contrast to the Americans’ usual dominant confidence on the field.

But there were bright spots on the field. Solo had several key saves midway through the second half that kept the score line in reach, and in the end, this was exactly what the US squad needed.

In the 72^nd minute, Abby Wambach laid off a square pass to Shannon Boxx who pushed it ahead to Carli Lloyd. A sliding clear by a Japanese defender turned out to be the lucky break the US needed, as it went forward to Morgan penetrating behind the defensive line. She expertly placed the ball right into the low far corner for the equalizer.

Hearts dropped though when the AR raised her flag to signal offside. The center referee waived off the flag after consultation, correctly determining that not only was Morgan even, but she also received the ball off of a defensive back pass. The goal stood and the US faces lit into smiles for the first time of the match.

The US thus survived to the final whistle. Japan continues their current undefeated streak against the US while the Americans showed perseverance in capitalizing when needed despite being down not only in goals, but also in overall play to the Japanese.

The Kirin Cup is a good glance into the future as both teams are gearing up for the Olympics this summer. With the recent rise of Morgan, currently homesteading on top of the goal tally for the national team, she has become more of the point person on the offense. Wambach, though not as visible as she generally is for the US today, took on more of a playmaker role, the success of which could be seen in their lone goal.

Further evidence that the US-Japan rivalry will likely continue is how even the team was at the end of the game. Both teams had eight total shots, each with three on goal, and five corners a piece.

As expected, it was a very clean game as well. Japan has developed a unique system of play that relies almost entirely on passing. This brilliantly avoids a lot of man-to-man contact with teams such as the US which would have a physical advantage. In total, the US had five fouls to Japan’s two. All of these came in the first hour of play, evidence of the control both teams have under pressure.

Japan will get a rest period while the US continues tournament play against Brazil on Tuesday, April 3 at 4:00 a.m. PST. The game will again be broadcast on ESPN and streamed live online at ESPN3.

Lineups
USA: Hope Solo, Christie Rampone, Kelley O’Hara, Amy Lepeilbet, Shannon Boxx, Heather O’Reilly (Amy Rodriguez 81’), Carli Lloyd, Lauren Cheney (Tobin Heath 75’), Alex Morgan (Sydney Leroux 81’), Rachel Buehler, Abby Wambach
Subs not used: Nicole Barnhart, Heather Mitts, Becky Sauerbrunn, Stephanie Cox, Megan Rapinoe, Lori Lindsey, Ashlyn Harris, Whitney Engen, Meghen Kingenberg
Head coach: Pia Sundhage

JAPAN: Ayumi Kaihori, Yukari Kinga, Saki Kumagai, Aya Sameshima (Saori Ariyoshi 67’), Mizuho Sakaguchi, Aya Miyama, Nahomi Kawasumi, Shinobu Ohno (Yuika Sugasawa 85’), Asuna Tanaka (Rumi Utsug 85’), Kyoko Yano, Yuki Nagasato (Kozue Ando 60’)
Subs not used: Miho Fukumoto, Chiaki Minamiyama, Megumi Kamionobe, Megumi Takase, Manami  Nakano, Yuuri Kawamura, Kana Osafune, Yumi Uetsuji
Head coach: Norio Sasaki