FOX Sports FIFA WOMEN’S WORLD CUP 2015 Evening Highlights – Wednesday, July 1
FOX Sports presents full coverage of the FIFA WOMEN’S WORLD CUP 2015™, continuing tonight with a special edition of FIFA WOMEN’S WORLD CUP TONIGHT at 12:00 AM ET on FOX Sports 1.
See below for highlights from FIFA WOMEN’S WORLD CUP TODAY and Japan’s last-minute semifinal win over England.
TODAY’S RESULTS
Japan def. England, 2-1
Japan advances to play USA in the final on Sunday, July 5, at 6:00 PM ET on FOX
England plays Germany in the third-place match on Saturday, July 4, at 3:00 PM ET on FOX
FOX Sports FIFA WOMEN’S WORLD CUP TODAY Coverage Highlights:
Kelly Smith heard that Germany’s Célia Šašić did not want to take the penalty kick she missed in last night’s semifinal:
“I was in contact with Dawn Scott, who’s from England, the fitness coach for the U.S. team. She said that some of the U.S. players told her that Šašić didn’t want to take the penalty. She asked Popp to take the penalty, and Popp didn’t want to take it, so it was back in Šašić’s hands. She just didn’t look confident.”
Heather Mitts talks about Hope Solo’s stall tactics against Šašić’s missed penalty kick:
“This is nothing new for Hope Solo. She’s done this before. We’re all looking for the advantage, and playing mind games is just part of the game. She does it well.”
Alexi Lalas adds:
“Little things matter, and everything matters in a World Cup. Hope Solo didn’t save this penalty – as a matter of fact, she went the opposite way. But, if she planted that seed – one little thing that made Šašić miss – then well done, Hope Solo.”
A former England international, Smith talks about England’s heartbreaking loss to Japan:
“It’s devastating. Football can be cruel sometimes, and that is the highest form. It was an evil way to go out. No one is going to blame Laura Bassett. It’s heartbreaking. It’s going to take a long while for her to get over that.
“They performed fantastically. They had a few shots on goal that could’ve gone in, but overall, I’m really proud of this England team. They’ve come a long way. Like [head coach] Mark Sampson said, they’ve inspired a nation. People are so proud of their performance back home; it’s just a sad ending.”
Lalas says England has a lot to be proud of:
“England has absolutely nothing to be ashamed of. They did an incredible job, and they went farther than a lot of people predicted them to go.”
Ariane Hingst says that despite comments made by England coach Mark Sampson following the match, Laura Bassett will unfortunately be remembered for her own goal:
“Mark Sampson said that Bassett’s going to be remembered as the hero of the tournament – I wish he was right. She’s always going to be remembered as the one to shoot this own goal, and there’s no way she’s getting over it. It’s so hard.”
Smith says this England team has advanced the sport in her home country:
“This team has changed the perception of women’s football back in England. So many top celebrities were tweeting about it, messaging the girls – it’s just really changed, and I’m just really proud of them.”
Lalas says the call that gave England the equalizing penalty kick was a foul and a dive:
“Instead of falling because of the contact, [England’s Steph Houghton] took another step, realized she got hit, and then fell down. It doesn’t mean it’s not a penalty. Don’t ever tell me that there’s no diving in the women’s game. There are absolutely no saints in this game – everyone’s a sinner.”
