US have victory in sight

American forward Abby Wambach has only one thing on her mind – winning the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

The US have not won the coveted trophy since 1999 and are desperate for a record-breaking third triumph when they face Japan in the tournament finale in Frankfurt on Sunday.

Veteran Wambach has played a key role in getting her side to the final, most notably scoring a 122nd minute equaliser against Brazil in the quarter-finals to force penalties.

She also scored in the 3-1 semi-final win over France to make it three goals in as many games for the 31-year-old.

“In the end all I care about is winning,” Wambach said.

“Winning is the most important thing right now. And it’s 90 minutes. If we can win one 90-minute game, we’re world champs.”

But Japan will be no easy beats and, having eliminated reigning champions Germany in the quarter-finals, enter the final on the back of a 3-1 come-from-behind win against an impressive Swedish side.

US coach Pia Sundhage is well-aware of the threat Japan can pose.

“They (Japanese) have some good players,” Sundhage said.

“Regardless how tall or short they are. And they do it together. Everybody I think praised them for the way they attack. They keep possession and that’s a pretty good way to defend.”

“But if you study their defending as well, they are very organised and they get numbers behind the ball. So that’s the reason why they are here.”

“It’s a really good team and with the set pieces they are so much better today I think than a year ago.”