Japan knocked defending champions Germany out of the women’s World Cup on Saturday beating the hosts 1-0 after extra-time to advance to their first semifinals with France who also needed a dramatic 4-3 penalty shootout to get past England.
Japan’s winning goal in Wolfsburg came in the 108th minute when captain Homare Sawa put in a superb long-range pass and substitute Karina Maruyama drilled past Germany goalkeeper Nadine Angerer.
Despite France dominating for most of their quarter-final game in Leverkusen Jill Scott had put England ahead after 59 minutes before Elise Bussaglia equalised with two minutes to go for a 1-1 score after extra time.
Camille Abily missed France’s first penalty but Claire Rafferty and Faye White then failed to net England’s last two to send Les Bleus through to a final four showdown with either Brazil or the United States.
It was a double blow for Germany with the Japanese victory ensuring that France will go to next year’s Olympics.
“This is what I feared would happen,” said Germany coach Silvia Neid.
“We were off colour against the side ranked fourth in the world. We weren’t able to score goals and we weren’t precise enough in our execution. You always have to worry about a good counter-attack against the Japanese.
“It is of course very unfortunate and very sad.”
Japan coach Norio Sasaki said: “To win against Germany is something really motivates us to give our best for the next match. I am very, very proud of my team.”
The Japanese will next meet either Australia or Sweden.
Having won both the 2003 and 2007 editions, this is the first time Germany have lost at a women’s World Cup since they were beaten 3-2 by hosts the USA in the quarter-finals of the 1999 tournament.
Germany suffered an early setback when key midfielder Kim Kulig headed over the bar and limped off with a knee injury after an awkward landing on three minutes.
Neid was forced into bringing on defender Bianca Schmidt and left-back Linda Bresonik pushed up into midfield.
It was predominantly German one-way traffic in the opening stages in front of a sold-out crowd of 26,067.
Powerful midfielder Celia Okoyino da Mbabi, who ran herself ragged over the course of the night, had a shot parried away by Japan’s goalkeeper Ayumi Kaihori on 13 minutes.
Captain Kerstin Garefrekes saw her effort fly across the face of the goal on 22 minutes.
Japan finally came into the match and their clearest chance was when forward Yuki Nagasato fired wide with half an hour gone as the Germans dropped off their early pace.
Japan midfielder Aya Miyama fired over twice with two long-range efforts as normal time faded and Germany forward Inka Grings had an appeal for a penalty turned down in the final five minutes after she was shouldered off the ball.
The game was finally decided in the second period of extra time when Japan stunned the home crowd with the crucial goal to reach the last four.
French meanwhile should have won in regular time but for string of missed chances and some big saves pulled out by England goalkeeper Karen Bardsley.
“Until three minutes before the final whistle we thought we could lose this match even though it could have been 3-0 for us,” said France coach Bruno Bini.
“Our match was going well but we weren’t getting our reward. That was unacceptable but in the end we were rewarded.”
The quarter-finals continue Sunday with Sweden taking on Australia in Augsburg and tournament co-favourites Brazil and the United States going head to head in Dresden.