The goal that shocked a nation - WOMEN'S FOOTBALL
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As two-time world champions and three-time Olympic medallists, Germany have been hugely successful at global level. However, if there is one major blot on that proud tradition in recent years, it is their quarter-final exit at the hands of eventual world champions Japan during the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup™ on home soil. While Nadeshiko captain Homare Sawa grabbed all the headlines, it was a relatively little-known striker by the name of Karina Maruyama who broke German hearts.
Hosting their maiden Women’s World Cup, and having been crowned in imperious fashion in both 2003 and 2007, expectations were high in Germany. In fact, it is fair to say there was an air of anticipation as Germany walked onto Wolfsburg’s Arena im Allerpark in front of 26,000 spectators on that July summer’s evening. After all, Japan had only ever won three of 16 matches at previous Women’s World Cups prior to Germany 2011. And while, the Nadeshiko impressed in their first two group matches, their third outing was a humbling 2-0 defeat against England, a result which sent them on a collision course with the reigning queens of women’s football.
Date with destiny
But the quarter-final proved a disaster for Germany. Young starlet Kim Kulig was forced off with a serious knee injury inside the opening minutes, while Japan absorbed some relentless pressure around Ayumi Kaihori’s goal. Despite the scoreless deadlock after 90 minutes, there remained a swaggering confidence about the home side.
But then came the unthinkable. Maruyama arced her run to perfection to latch onto a sweetly caressed Sawa pass, and the substitute deftly finished past goalkeeper Nadine Angerer despite a challenging angle. Cue momentary stunned silence in Wolfsburg. There was still 12 minutes remaining but Germany could find no way past the inspired Asians, who displayed their now trademark metronomic movement throughout all 120 minutes of gruelling football.
Maruyama takes up the story. “It felt like time stopped (when the goal went in),” the now-33-year-old told FIFA.com. “The stadium and tens of thousands of people became silent instantly when it happened. I honestly couldn't believe what happened and I just stayed on the pitch (after the match) basking in that special feeling.”
Maruyama, who currently plays for Nadeshiko League side Speranza FC Osaka, also revealed that coach Norio Sasaki pulled her aside for special instructions before entering the action at half-time. “Just before getting on to the pitch, our head coach Sasaki told me to use the space behind the defenders. He also said: ‘You can do this, you can score to clinch the game’.”
Sasaki’s words proved to be prophetic. Operating between the lines, Maruyama made a perfect run between two defenders to create the goalscoring opportunity. “That moment when I ran behind their defensive line, I immediately saw the pathway all the way to goal.”
Despite the moment of personal glory, Maruyama says her highlight was winning the Women’s World Cup and providing some joy to a nation hit by a catastrophic earthquake and tsunami barely three months earlier. “The most impressive thing about the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup (for me) is that Japan became champions for the first time. The tournament was held months after the East Japan Earthquake and I strongly remember that during the meetings and before the match, we saw videos of those affected people and areas, and this encouraged us a lot.”
For Germany it was the end of a golden era with the likes of Birgit Prinz, Inka Grings and Kerstin Garefrekes all bidding farewell to the world stage in unhappy fashion. While for Japan, it was a turning point on their journey to breakthrough success. Not content with defeating the holders, they proceeded to see off European heavyweights Sweden in the semi, before famously edging USA on penalties in the decider for a memorable triumph.
As for Maruyama, her pivotal intervention in a memorable FIFA Women’s World Cup match is sure to stand the test of time for decades to come.