Sawa key for Japan against the Three Lions

Soccer Betting Lines

09/10/2007 - Shanghai, China (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Japan is hoping that its fifth appearance in the FIFA Women's World Cup will be its most successful one yet, but in order for that to happen, the Japanese must first pick up a win in their crucial Group A opener against England.

With group favorites Germany having already recorded an 11-0 pasting of Argentina on Monday to open the competition, it looks as though Japan and England will be left battle it out for second place in the group and a spot in the quarterfinals.

Japan has appeared in four previous World Cups, but advanced past the group stage only once, in 1995.

In order for this team to duplicate that feat, they will rely heavily on midfielder Homare Sawa, who has distinguished herself as one of the top players in the world with 60 goals in 118 appearances for Japan, making her the country's all-time leading scorer.

At just 28, Sawa will shoulder a big responsibility in not only scoring goals, but helping to set them up as well. Despite the claims of manager Hiroshi Ohashi that this team's strongest point is its teamwork, Japan will only go as far as Sawa can take it.

If Sawa is given room to create in the midfield by England, Japan should have a good chance to claim the big win, but if the English can take Sawa out of her game and close her down, Japan will struggle to find offense.

England is making only its second trip to a World Cup, but reached the quarterfinals in its lone appearance in 1995.

England will rely on veteran Kelly Smith, captain Faye White and striker Rachel Yankey to carry its team into the last eight of the competition.

Yankey is expected to shoulder the scoring load for England, but she will have a little more help from her supporting cast which includes strong midfielder Fara Williams.

England may be a little more balanced, but Japan has a great equalizer in Sawa, who is capable of putting Japan on her back and taking the team to victory.

If Williams, White and Smith are able to gang up on Sawa and take her out of the game, England will have a great chance to get off to a good start. However, if Sawa is able to create in the midfield, Japan will get off to the good start it is looking for.

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