Halmstad, Sweden (Sports Network) - Alex Morgan and Abby Wambach scored two
goals apiece as the U.S. women's national team handed Japan a 4-1 defeat on
Monday in a rematch of the 2011 Women's World Cup final.
The Americans jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first 10 minutes before Japan
answered back midway through the first half through Yuki Nagasato.
But the U.S. came back with another goal from Morgan just after the hour mark
while Wambach capped the scoring in stoppage time with her second tally of
the contest.
Morgan got her side off to a quick start in the third minute when she took a
pass from Tobin Heath and beat goalkeeper Ayumi Kaihori at her near post.
The lead was doubled in the 10th minute by Wambach, who got her foot on a
cross from Megan Rapinoe to redirect it past the goalkeeper from six yards.
Japanese captain Aya Miyama set up Japan's goal in the 26th when her cross was
headed home by Nagasato, only for Morgan to come right back and hit the post
for the U.S. a few minutes later.
Japan was having trouble containing Morgan and she added another goal in the
61st with a nice individual effort before Wambach nodded home Heather
O'Reilly's cross in stoppage time to cap the impressive victory.
The U.S. will face Canada on June 30 in its final match before the Olympic
tournament, which starts one month later.
The Sports Network