The finalists of 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup -- Japan and USA -- are face-to-face once again for the coveted title four years later. The Asian side had defeated the hot favourites to lift their maiden World Cup four years ago. It now remains to be seen whether a similar pattern will be followed as Japan and the USA take on each other once again in the finals of the 2015 Women's World Cup at BC Place Stadium in Vancouver, Canada.
The US will be eying a revenge to their loss in the 2011 final on penalties. Though they might have been swift in taking revenge by defeating Japan in the 2012 London Olympics, winning the World Cup remains the biggest achievement for any footballer.
Both teams have been prolific in their performance in the 2015 edition of the tournament in Canada so far. So it is not easy to pick any one team as favourites. Japan won all their matches in the competition so far, while the US also remained unbeaten through out, including in the match with Sweden that ended in a draw at the group stage.
Both the US and Japan deserved to be among the top two teams to battle for the biggest title and a humdinger of a contest is expected between the two-time winners and the defending champions.
If the Asian giants win, they will join the league of the USA and Germany, who have won the title twice so far.
With the Japan having the same players in their side who have been playing since the 2011 World Cup, they have a huge advantage as they understand each other's game, which has also been established by their performance in the competition.
Japanese defender Saki Kumagai believes that her team has grown over the last few years.
"Compared to four years ago or even two years ago all our team members have grown. It will be a game where all of us will show how we have developed our skills," BBC quoted Saki Kumagai as saying.
Though the US may not have been able to deliver as per their expectations, they have gradually been improving through the tournament. A team with a number of stars should have scored a higher number of goals, but their biggest margin of defeat never went beyond two goals. Their forwards need to rise to the occasion.
Are the Americans reserving their best for the finals of the FIFA Women's World Cup? If that is the case, one cannot wait for the whistle to be blown for the match to begin.
Players such as Carli Lloyd will be instrumental for the US. If she clicks, the Japanese team will have a hard time at the centre of the park.
"Everything is on the line and my foot is on the pedal full force. Our confidence is growing, it grew against China and Germany and now it's no regrets, full throttle.
"We know what's at stake and have to play our best. We'll be able to weather the storm, we've got fresh legs and are physically fit," said Lloyd.
Where to Watch Live
The FIFA Women's World Cup title deciding match between the USA and Japan is scheduled for 4pm local time (1:30am IST, 9pm BST, 5am JST) start. Sony Six will show the match live in India.
US viewers can watch the game live on their TV screens on Fox Network with live streaming on Fox Soccer2 Go. Football fans across Japan have the luxury of watching the game live on NHK Japan.
The final can also be watched by viewers in the UK live on BBC Three/HD and British Eurosport / British Eurosport HD with live streaming on BBC iPlayer.
Viewers in Germany can watch the game live on ORF Sport Plus and can be watched online on ORF TV Live Streaming.
