Japan set up title clash with USA

Edmonton, July 2 

A late own-goal by England defender Laura Bassett put defending champions Japan into the final of the Women’s World Cup with a 2-1 win.

Japan next play the two-time winners United States in the final at Vancouver on Sunday after the Americans beat Germany 2-0 in a Tuesday semifinal at Montreal.

Japan and England looked to be heading for extra-time, deadlocked at 1-1 yesterday after captain Aya Miyama scored a penalty on 33 minutes only for Fara Williams to level for England five minutes before the break, also from a penalty kick.

But two minutes into injury time, Bassett sent the ball into her own net to end her team’s dream run to their first World Cup semifinal. — AFP