FIFA Women's World Cup 2011 Group B

In England the FA Women's Super League was in its inaugural season (at the time it was played over the summer), reflecting the growing interest in women's football. The national team had no difficulty qualifying, topping their group and beating Switzerland 5-2 in the play-offs. Japan had finished third in the AFC Women's Asian Cup, Mexico had been beaten by Canada in the final of the CONCACAF Women's Gold Cup and New Zealand had sailed through the OCF tournament scoring an average of ten goals a game against the usual feeble opposition.

Group A | Group B | Group C | Group D | Knock Out Stages

2011 Overview

Japan

New Zealand

Japan 2 New Zealand 1

Ruhrstadion, Bochum (12,538)
27 June

The Nadeshiko took control of the game early on and were rewarded in the sixth minute when Shinobu Ohno split the Ferns' defence with a precision pass allowing Nagasato to score. New Zealand responded well and within six minutes Hearn had headed in the equaliser. The game settled into a pattern with Japan pressing forward and New Zealand looking to strike on the counter. The decisive goal goal came from a beautifully crafted free-kick from Miyama that curled over the wall and beyond the reach of Bindon in the defenders' goal.

Mexico

England

Mexico 1 England 1

Volkswagen Arena, Wolfsburg (18,702)
27 June

In the 21st minute Fara Williams met an outswinging corner near the penalty spot and scored with a powerful header. In the 33rd minute, against the run of play, Ocampo scored with a speculative drive from all of 30 metres that flew into the top corner. England dominated possession but wasted several chances.

Japan

Mexico

Japan 4 Mexico 0

BayArena, Leverkusen (22,291)
1 July

After their shaky start against New Zealand, Japan showed some quality, disposing of Mexico with some ease. Sawa Homare, their captain, scored a hat-trick.

New Zealand

England

New Zealand 1 England 2

Rudolf Harbig Stadion, Dresden (19,110)
1 July

England won in Dresden but they left it very late. Gregorius put the Ferns into a surprise lead, scoring from close range following a sweeping move (18') and they could have had another when Amber Hearn's header landed on top of the net. England fought back in the second half and in the 63rd minute Jill Scott, at 1.8m (5'11") one of the tallest strikers in the competition, out jumped the defenders to head the equaliser. In the 81st minute the New Zealand goalkeeper fumbled a cross and with England's strikers queuing up in the area, the ball fell to Jessica Clarke who scored.

England

Japan

England 2 Japan 0

Impuls Arena, Augsburg (20,777)
5 July

After resisting some intense pressure, England took the lead when Ellen White lobbed in from 22 metres. In the second half Rachel Yankey clipped the ball home to make the score 2-0 and ensure that England would top the group. Japan also qualified for the next phase.

New Zealand

Mexico

New Zealand 2 Mexico 2

Rhein-Neckar Arena, Sinsheim (20,451)
5 July

Mexico had an outside of progressing but needed a a big win here to improve their goal difference and for England to lose against Japan. In the event they led 2-0 after 90 minutes but this would not be enough. New Zealand scored twice in added time to pull off a remarkable draw.