Japan

The match will kick off at 4pm today in front of an expected sellout crowd at the 15,000 seating National Football Stadium.

Japan and USA will come out strong, aiming to take home the bronze medal after missing out on qualifying for the final on Tuesday in the semis against France and Korea DPR respectively.

It will be a tough encounter between the Asian and North American sides after a hard-fought battle and going to extra time in the semis.

But it will be an exciting and entertaining match and fans will be out in numbers to support.

Japan forwards Yuka Momiki and Mami Ueno are in the race for the adidas golden ball with four goals each.

Also with four goals each, Korea DPR’s forwards Kim So-hyang and Ri Hyang-sim.

This will be their last chance to beat Gabi Nunes of Brazil and Stina Blackstenius of Sweden who are in the lead, each with five goals to their names.

However, both Gabi Nunes and Blackstenius are no longer active in the tournament.

Blackstenius was the first to score five goals, four against home side Papua New Guinea and one goal against Brazil in the group round matches.

Known for the punishing hours demanded by its 'salaryman' culture, Japan has struggled to tackle the impact of overwork on employees' health. But plans to overhaul labor laws could improve the situation.

A recent government study found that one in five workers are at risk of working themselves to death. It's such a big problem that Japan even has its own word for it: karoshi (death by overwork).

It was nil all in the 90 minutes of playing time as the two teams proceeded into extra time. This was when France scored their double in the first half to safeguard their victory.

Four minutes into the second half, France forward runner Marion Romanelli chipped a fine cross that found striker Clara Mateo's head for their first goal.

Right after the restart, France moved in again for their second goal through Juliane Gathrat, who scooped the ball in from a loose ball that came off Japan's clearance in the goalmouth.

Japan had countless opportunities in the first half but France stopper Marion Romanelli was too good in clearing the attacks from the back.

France had their first chance in the 8th minute when striker Marie-Charlotte Legerin pulled off a powerful left footy but flew inches over the crossbar.

Japan replied,  pulling in counter attacks with quick set plays and through balls but France backliners cleared every loose ball from the back.

Japan is looking to make it an all Asian final after Korea DPR booked the first berth to the grand final, while the European champs are battling for the time to make their debut.

The fate of both teams lies in tonight's game infront of more than 5,000 spectators.

Picture by Troy Taule 

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The powerful quake and waves that followed left more than 18,000 people dead, tens of thousands more displaced and well over a million buildings destroyed or damaged.

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They’re Asian duo Japan and Korea DPR, European team France and the United States.

The first match will see Korea DPR take on USA. The last time they met back in 2012, USA won 2-1 after extra time.

After over two weeks of competition, former winners USA and Korea DPR are determined to lift the trophy once again by making it to the grand final.

USA is hoping to be crowned champions for the fourth time while Korea DPR is determined to take the title for the second time around.

Chavas received the award for her outstanding performance during the victory over Germany 1-0 in the knockouts of the tournament.

In the match, Germany kicked three shots on target out of 12 attempts.

Chavas did extremely well to help her team qualify for the semifinal by saving the three on target attempts.

Chavas was speechless after the match but said she was proud to receive the award.

“I didn’t expect to be awarded the Player of the Match, I just did my job and I’m very happy.”