MX23RW : Friday, January 3 23:50:25| >> :600:1921064:1921064:

Preview: Women's Olympic final: United States vs. Japan

Preview: USA vs. Japan
© PA Photos
Sports Mole previews the Olympic gold medal clash between United States and Japan at Wembley Stadium.

Pre-tournament favourites United States meet world champions Japan in the final of the women's Olympic football competition on Thursday.

The Americans have won every game on their way to the gold medal match at Wembley, but needed a 122nd-minute header from Alex Morgan to dramatically beat fierce rivals Canada in a thrilling semi-final.

Japan were less impressive during their group campaign, being held to two draws, but have since shown their credentials with victories over Brazil and France in the knockout stages.

They possess the tightest defence in the competition, while the US can boast of the most prolific attack, which is led by Morgan and Abby Wambach.

Both of those are expected to start tomorrow in what is a rematch from the World Cup final of 2011, with the US looking to gain some revenge and defend their title from Beijing 2008 in the process.

Possible lineups:

Japan: Fukumoto; Kinga, Iwashimizu, Kumagai, Sameshima; Sakaguchi, Miyama, Kawasumi, Sawa; Ohno, Ogimi

United States: Solo; Rampone, O'Hara, Le Peilbet, Buehler; Lloyd, Rapinoe, Heath; Cheney, Morgan, Wambach

Sports Mole says: 2-1 (AET)

ID:38977: cacheID:38977:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2289:
Written by
Joe Fish

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


Restore Data
Share this article now:
Olympic rings
Read Next:
Preview: Canada vs. France
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool18143145172845
2Arsenal19116238172139
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest1911442619737
4Chelsea19105438231535
5Newcastle UnitedNewcastle1995532211132
6Manchester CityMan City199463226631
7Bournemouth198652923630
8Fulham197842825329
9Aston Villa198562831-329
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton196942928127
11Tottenham HotspurSpurs1973941281324
12Brentford197393335-224
13West Ham UnitedWest Ham196582335-1223
14Manchester UnitedMan Utd196492126-522
15Crystal Palace194872027-720
16Everton183871524-917
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1944113142-1116
18Ipswich TownIpswich1936101833-1515
19Leicester CityLeicester1935112242-2014
20Southampton1913151239-276


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!