Japan to face U.S. in women's World Cup final

 The United States will face Japan in the women's World Cup final.The Japanese, playing in their first semi-final, beat Sweden by the same score with a double from Nahomi Kawasumi, including a spectacular 35-meter lob. The Americans, who won the title in 1991 and 1999 and have never finished below third place in a women's World Cup, took an early lead when Lauren Cheney flicked in a Carli Lloyd cross in the ninth minute.France leveled after the break with a Sonia Bompastor cross that bounced past U.S. keeper Hope Solo but two goals in three minutes from Abby Wambach (79th) and Alex Morgan (82nd) secured a third World Cup final appearance for the Americans."This is our journey, this is our dream," a beaming Wambach said. "France are a great team. There were moments they were outplaying us but I am so proud of this team.""I know we are going to pull through. I have belief in this team. Everybody is working for each other."In Frankfurt, captain Homare Sawa turned from villain to hero by putting Japan 2-1 up on the hour after her defensive error had given Sweden a 10th minute lead.

US qualifies for quarterfinals.

The U.S. advanced to the quarterfinals of the Women’s World Cup with a 3-0 rout of Colombia on Saturday.The two-time World Cup champions advanced to the last eight with Sweden, which beat North Korea 1-0 in the early Group C match.The Americans and Sweden both have six points, but the U.S. leads the group on goal differential and can claim the top spot with a victory or a tie.Colombia is a team on the rise, finishing fourth at the Under-20 World Cup last year. But the youngsters were no match for the more experienced Americans. The U.S. harassed goalkeeper Sandra Sepulveda relentlessly, and she didn't get much help from her defenders, who were shredded by the speedy O'Reilly time and again - and set up O'Reilly's goal in the 12th minute.