Women's World Cup: Own goal sends Japan to final

An own goal by England in second-half stoppage time gave Japan a 2-1 win in the Women's World Cup semifinals Wednesday in Edmonton, Alberta.

Japan will aim for back-to-back titles when it faces the United States on Sunday in Vancouver, British Columbia.

The Japanese will attempt to join Germany, champions in 2003 and 2007, in winning consecutive Women's World Cup championships after advancing on the latest goal ever to decide a semifinal in the event's history.

Facing her goal as she attempted a clearance, England defender Laura Bassett miskicked the ball and saw it bounce off the under side of the crossbar and over the goal line.

Goal-line technology confirmed the call, and moments later, the game was over. Bassett and the England players were left devastated as the Japanese players celebrated on the field at Commonwealth Stadium.

The result was all the more stunning considering England carried the play through much of the second half, creating the majority of the scoring chances.

The first half featured an exchange of penalty-kick goals, both coming after controversial calls by the referee.

In the 32nd minute, England defender Claire Rafferty pushed down Saori Ariyoshi as the Japan defender was taking the ball into the penalty area. The foul appeared to occur slightly outside the line, but the referee whistled for a penalty kick.

After a long delay while awaiting a move from England goalie Karen Bardsley, Japan midfielder Aya Miyama knocked in the shot.

Nine minutes later, Japan forward Yuki Ogimi was called for a foul against England defender Steph Houghton in the box. Houghton didn't go down after the initial contact, raising the appearance that she dived to get the ball.

England midfield Fara Williams scored on the ensuing penalty kick to tie the score 1-1.

Bardsley exited in the second half due to an injury for the second game in a row.

The United States beat top-ranked Germany 2-0 Tuesday in the first semifinal in Montreal.

The Japan-USA final will be a rematch of the 2011 final won by Japan 3-1 on penalty kicks after a 2-2 tie.

Germany and England will meet in the third-place match Saturday in Edmonton.