VIDEO: Penalty Shootouts - - Women's World Cup: Japan Beat USA to Become the First Champion From Asia

FRANKFURT, Germany - The most spectacular Women’s World Cup final in history has produced the most surprising champion at the end.

Women's World Cup: Japan Beat USA to Become the First Champion From Asia

Japan became the first Asian nation to win the Women’s World Cup on Sunday, beating the United States in a penalty shootout after both sides were level at 2-2 after extra time.

 

The Japanese denied the U.S. team the chance to become the first country to lift the cup three times.

The Americans missed their first three penalties, and Japan went on to win the shootout 3-1 when Saki Kumagai slotted the final shot high past goalkeeper Hope Solo.

Japan was always driven by a greater purpose, hoping its success at the World Cup could provide some emotional relief for a nation still reeling from the March 11 earthquake and tsunami.

It paid off.

The team displayed a banner reading “To our Friends Around the World — Thank You for Your Support” before the final, and coach Norio Sasaki inspired his players before the quarterfinal win over favorite Germany by showing them pictures of the devastation.

On Sunday, the players were even more pumped us as the match approached its climax.

In a thrilling finale, 32-year-old Japan captain Homare Sawa flicked a corner through a jumble of players and past Solo with three minutes of extra time left to equalize and set up the shootout.

“We ran and ran.We were exhausted but we kept running,” said Sawa, the top scorer in the tournament with five goals.

Japan had already scored late in regulation to force extra time, and the shootout success gave Japan its first victory over the United States in 26 games.

Japan goalkeeper Ayumi Kaihori did more than her part, saving the first penalty from Shannon Boxx with her foot and swatting the third kick from substitute Tobin Heath away with her gloves. In between, Carli Lloyd skied her shot over the bar.

U.S. President Obama and Family Watching Women's World Cup Final -- The U.S. took 1-0 lead over Japan in second half

U.S. President Obama and Family Watching Women's World Cup final between the U.S. and Japan

WASHINGTON (July 17) - U.S. President Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama, and their daughters Sasha and Malia watch the Women's World Cup final between the U.S. and Japan, from the Treaty Room office in the residence of the White House, Sunday, July 17, 2011.

The United States and Japan are tied 0-0 at the end of first half of the Women's World Cup final her on Sunday. But American players dominated in terrns of ball possession and took the lead 1-0 in second half.

The United States is seeking to become the first three-time champions. The Americans are the No. 1-ranked team in the world and the defending Olympic champions.

The Americans are seeking their first World Cup title since 1999. They also won in 1991.

AFC Asian Cup 2011: Final (Half Time Updates) - Goalless First Half Between Japan and Australia

DOHA, Qatar - The goalless first half causes the tension mounting among the fans of Australia and Japan who gathered to cheer up for their respective teams at Khalifa Stadium. Both teams missed their chances, including one of the best chance saved by Japan goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima off the Australian striker Harry Kewell. 

Keisuke Honda, who had two efforts on Australia's goal earlier, set up Shinji Okazaki, whose shot appeared to graze the elbow of Brett Holman but Japan's calls for a penalty went in vain in the 30th minute of the first half.

Japan is fighting their heart out for the fouth title victory; while Australia is competing first time in the coveted event of Asia.

AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2011 - - Japan vs. Qatar (Qarter-final): Japan Cruised into Semifinals Crushing Hosts' Hopes With 3-2

A last-minute Masahiko Inoha goal gave 10-man Japan a dramatic 3-2 victory over Qatar in a thrilling Asian Cup quarter-final on Friday.

Qatar twice went ahead through Sebastian Soria and Fabio Cesar Montezine, but Shinji Kagawa equalised on both occasions before Inoha's 90th minute strike secured victory for the three-time Asian Cup winners.

While Japan made three changes headlined by Eiji Kawashima's return from suspension, Qatar made just the one, with Mesaad Ali Al Hamad starting in place of the suspended Mohammed Kasola.

Qatar lost left-back Ibrahim Majid in the 11th minute to a hamstring injury, but were undettered by the setback and went ahead just a minute later.

The goal came when Sebastian Soria was inexplicably allowed to turn onto his left foot in the Japanese penalty area, before squeezing his shot past Eiji Kawashima for his first goal of the tournament.

Japan fought back in the 27th minute when Borussia Dortmund's Kagawa produced the equaliser.

A chip into the penalty area from Keisuke Honda set Shinji Okazaki free, who lofted the ball over the oncoming Qasem Burhan in the Qatar goal.

Okazaki's chip was headed for the back of the net but with the presence of Ali Al Hamad, Kagawa was required to bundle it home from the goal-line to level proceedings.

The lively Yousef Ahmad had a chance to put Qatar in front but dragged his shot wide, while Burhan made two good saves within a minute, denying Okazaki and Makoto Hasebe.

Japan came out with an attacking mindset after the interval, and Okazaki went close to scoring but his header flashed just wide, before Nagatomo's 20-yard strike was well saved by Burhan.

Qatar were given a boost after the hour mark following the dubious sending off of Japan's Maya Yoshida, who received his marching orders after a questionable second yellow card when he tried to tackle Ahmad.

Qatar deepened the wound when substitute Cesar Montezine scored from the resultant free-kick after a poor piece of goalkeeping from Kawashima.

Rather than pressing on and looking for a third goal, Qatar went on the defensive and allowed Japan time and space on the ball.

And they were quickly made to pay when Kagawa pounced on a ball that spilt on the edge of the box before sending a neat finish to equalise with 20 minutes to play.

Just as it seemed the match was heading for extra time, Inoha popped up to crush Qatar's hope of a first Asian Cup semi-final appearance, slotting the ball home into goal following Khaled Muftah's challenge on Kagawa.

AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2011 - - Japan and Jordan Sailed into Quarter-finals Beating Saudi Arabia and Syria

Three-time champion Japan routed Saudi Arabia 5-0 Monday to reach the quarter-finals of the Asian Cup, and Jordan advanced by rallying for a 2-1 victory over Syria.

Shinji Okazaki scored in the eighth, 13th and 80th minutes, and Japan also got goals from Ryoichi Maeda in the 19th and 51st before a crowd of just 2,022 at Al-Rayyan Stadium.

After falling behind on Mohamad al-Zino's 15th-minute goal, Jordan tied it on Ali Dyab's own goal in the 30th and went ahead when Odai al-Saify scored in the 59th.

Japan and Jordan (2-0-1) both advanced from Group B with seven points, followed by Syria (1-2) with three and Saudi Arabia (0-3) with none.

In the quarterfinals on Friday, Japan plays Qatar and Jordan meets Uzbekistan.