The awards given at the 2011 Women’s World Cup heavily favour the top two teams, Japan and the United States. Japan’s Homare SAWA scored the goal that not only sent the final to penalties but also earned her the Golden Boot, with five goals and an assist. She also earns the Golden Ball as the best overall player. Abby WAMBACH of the US was awarded the Silver Ball and, with four goals and an assist, the Bronze Boot, just behind the four goals and two assists of Brazil’s MARTA. Hope SOLO of the US won the Golden Glove, the best goalkeeper award, as well as the Bronze Ball. Caitlin FOORD of Australia, a sixteen year old defensive power, won the award for the best young player, and the Japanese squad took away the Fair Play award.

In addition to the usual suspects from Japan and the United States, the All Star team for the 2011 Women’s World Cup features three players from début semifinalists France and a young star from Equatorial Guinea. Homare SAWA leads the Japanese contingent, including fellow midfielders Aya MIYAMA and Shinobu OHNO, plus goalkeeper Ayumi KAIHORI. Other stars include top goalkeeper Hope SOLO of the US, France’s midfield powerhouse Louisa NÉCIB, Sweden’s inspirational captain Caroline SEGER, and Eq Guinea’s starlet striker AÑONMAN. more...

Japan have won the 2011 Women’s World Cup with a 3-1 win on penalties against the United States, after a thrilling final that ended 2-2 after extra time. The Nadeshiko did well to force the extra session, as the US had most of the attacking opportunities and took the lead when substitute Alex MORGAN received a long ball from Megan RAPINOE and finished in the 69th minute. But Aya MIYAMA took advantage of a mixup in the American defense twelve minutes later, firing the free ball past US keeper Hope SOLO. Late in the first overtime period, the US regained the advantage as Abby WAMBACH headed in her 13th career goal in Women’s World Cup tournaments, one short of the all time mark held by Germany’s Birgit PRINZ. Again, though, Japan answered, with Homare SAWA redirecting a corner kick into net in the 117th minute. The Japanese nearly gave it all away in the dying seconds as Azusa IWASHIMIZU brought down Morgan just outside the area. Referee Bibiana STEINHAUS, judging that the foul denied a clear goalscoring opportunity, sent Iwashimizu off. Nothing was created from the free kick, and in the shootout, Nadeshiko keeper Ayumi KAIHORI saved from Shannon BOXX and Tobin HEATH, before Saki KUMAGAI scored the winner to earn Japan their first Women’s World Cup title.

There are a number of players who could come away with the Golden Boot at the 2011 Women’s World Cup going into the third place and final matches. The current leader, MARTA of Brazil, has four goals and two assists, but her team is now out. Homare SAWA of Japan has four goals and one assist, Abby WAMBACH of the United States has three goals and an assist, and Lisa DAHLKVIST of Sweden has three goals and no assists. These three players are all expected to participate in the last weekend. A few other active players could also threaten: the US’s Lauren CHENEY, Japan’s Nahomi KAWASUMI, and France’s Marie-Laure DELIE and Gaëtane THINEY each have two goals. Ties are resolved by the greater assist total, and then by fewer minutes played.

On WED 13 JUL 2011, the two finalists of the Women’s World Cup were identified. At least one of them was not fancied to advance this far. more...

On the anniversary of the epic final of the 1999 Women’s World Cup, the day’s quarterfinals had much to live up to – and may have exceeded that standard. more...

The elimination phase of the Women’s World Cup opened with two tense quarterfinals and one of the biggest upsets in the tournament’s history. more...

One Nordic side goes home, while another records a historic victory, on WED 06 JUL 2011. more...

As with the other groups, the élite separated themselves from the rest in Group C on SAT 02 JUL 2011. more...

The story as Group C opened was one of victories by the favourites, but still with missed opportunities. more...

The names of the 336 players who will compete at the 2011 Women’s World Cup have been announced, and the list features many well known names, plus a great many who hope to become such by the tournament’s end. At 38, goalkeeper Jenny BINDON of New Zealand is the oldest player named to a roster, whilst Equatorial Guinea’s CHRISTELLE is the youngest of six 16 year olds. 42 players were not yet born when the first Women’s World Cup kicked off in 1991 – though Colombia’s Katerin CASTRO and Nigeria’s Amenze AIGHEWI were both born during it on THU 21 NOV 1991. Christie RAMPONE of the United States has 228 caps, most amongst players selected. Eight players have not yet been capped and will hope to take the pitch during the tournament. In all, 38 players compete professionally in the US’s Women’s Professional Soccer league, including all but one of the US squad. For the first time, a Women’s World Cup will take place without Kristine LILLY, the now retired American legend.