ARE THEY UNDER ESTIMATED?

The tournament favorites Germany,the third place team Sweden.

What do they both have in common? They both were beaten by a Japanese
team that will be playing in the Women's World Cup Final on Sunday against the
United States.

Many people may under estimate the Japanese team, and do so at your own
risk. The head to head record against the Americans does not favor the
Japanese women,but they were not the favorites against Sweden or Germany
either.

Japan has never won against the American squad, only able to muster
3 draws in the previous 25 matches. On Sunday we will find out if the
numbers favor the Americans or the Japanese. Some will say that they
are due to beat the top ranked American team. We don't think so.

Throughout the entire tournament the Japanese team have rarely been favored
in any of their matches. They do not have the physical size to compete
with some teams, many people have said. Yet with their agility and
capability of possessing the ball for what seems like hours on end, they
have knocked off many of the bigger teams. Their style of play
has earned them the nickname "The Barcelona of the Women's World Cup".

This team is agile, makes very hard runs at their opponents, they avoid confronting force
head on. They rely on the precise passing to slice through a defense.

The ability to keep possession is not only effective on the offensive
end, but is as equally key to their defense. You see if their opponent does
not touch the ball they cannot score.

Will they the "short ladies" of Japan be able to contain the
size and aerial attack of Abby Wombach? We don't think so,
but neither did Germany or Sweden.

Japan is the only team that may be just as fit as the Americans.
The Japanese midfield seems to have boundless energy. They were
relentless in their over time win against Germany. The Americans were
tested by the ability of the French midfield that did not tire the entire game.
They will again be tested on Sunday.

The tournaments leading scorer is not from France, Sweden, Germany,
or the United States. She is from Japan and her name is Homare Sawa.
She is Asia's most gifted female footballer, and is playing in her 5th
and final World Cup. She must be marked and contained if the United States
is going to win on Sunday.

The motivation for Japan comes from a country reeling after terrible
earthquakes and tsunamis devastated the coast of Japan. The need
no ra ra pep talks, they just look at the photos of the devastation that
their country is endearing. While the Americans are playing to get out
of the shadow of the 1999 team, the Japanese are playing to lift the
spirit of an entire country. No country can compete with that.

Will the Americans under estimate Japan on Sunday? We don't think so. They
will finish what they started four years ago. How ironic would it be for
the last team to qualify for this tournament to be the last team standing
after the tournament is over.

GO USA...but do not under estimate your opponent.