Japan Hope to Break US Record

Aya Miyama

Japan go into their first Women's World Cup final as underdogs against two-time winners the United States on Sunday.

They have never defeated the US in 25 matches, drawing only three of those contests, but are buoyed by their 3-1 win over Sweden in the semi-finals.

Nahomi Kawasumi, who scored twice on her full debut against the Swedes, said: "Our results here in Germany have given us a lot of confidence.

"We have momentum and now we want to try and beat the US."

With a fourth-place finish at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing and a recent climb into the top five of the Fifa women's world rankings, Japan are a team on the rise.

Beating the Americans - champions in 1991 and 1999, with third-place finishes in 1995, 2003 and 2007 - will be a tough task.

But midfielder Kawasumi insisted Japan's "strong mentality and teamwork" will pose problems for the US in the final.

Regardless of the result, she is hoping Japan's exploits in Germany will inspire a new generation of female footballers at home.

"Normally, we don't have a lot of media coverage for women's football in Japan, but when we have good results such as here in Germany or at the Olympics, people get to know about women's football.

"It is an important opportunity to promote the team and the game.

"I was inspired very much by previous national team players which, in part, is why I am here in Germany. I would be very happy if I too could be a role model for young players in Japan."