Japan beats U.S. to win 1st World Cup title

 　　BERLIN, July 17 (Xinhua) -- Japan defeated the U.S. at a seesaw¹ match 3-1 on penalties after they equalized twice a deficit² through midfielder Aya Miyama and Homare Sawa to grab the first ever FIFA World Champions title 2011 in Germany in front of some 48,800 spectators at Commerzbank Arena³ in Frankfurt on Sunday.

　　Both sides staged an evenly first half so that the second half had to bring the decision. At the 69th minute U.S. striker Alex Morgan utilized⁴ a through ball to slot the opener into bottom left for her side.

　　The U.S. retracted⁵ with the neat 1-0 lead so that Japan shocked U.S. with the leveller at the 81st minute. After 90 minutes the extra time had to bring the decision. U.S. striker Abby Wambach scored the supposed 2-1 winner with 104 minutes into the match, but Japan kept it bowling⁶ and equalized again owing to a back heel goal by midfielder Homare Sawa to stun⁷ U.S. three minutes before final whistle.

　　Due to the 2-2 draw, the penalty shootout determines the FIFA World cup winner 2011. Japan goalkeeper Ayumi Kaihori saved two attempts by U.S. whilst U.S. goalie Solo Hope parried one attempt, nonetheless, midfielder Carli Lloyd pulled the shot just wide so that Japan defender⁸ Ski Kumagai sealed the first title for Japan as she converted the deciding penalty.

1 seesaw   

n.跷跷板

参考例句：

• Prices have gone up and down like a seesaw this year.今年的价格像跷跷板一样时涨时跌。
• The children are playing at seesaw.孩子们在玩跷跷板。

2 deficit   

n.亏空，亏损；赤字，逆差

参考例句：

• The directors have reported a deficit of 2.5 million dollars.董事们报告赤字为250万美元。
• We have a great deficit this year.我们今年有很大亏损。

3 arena   

n.竞技场，运动场所；竞争场所，舞台

参考例句：

• She entered the political arena at the age of 25. 她25岁进入政界。
• He had not an adequate arena for the exercise of his talents.他没有充分发挥其才能的场所。

4 utilized   

v.利用，使用( utilize的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• In the19th century waterpower was widely utilized to generate electricity. 在19世纪人们大规模使用水力来发电。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The empty building can be utilized for city storage. 可以利用那栋空建筑物作城市的仓库。 来自《简明英汉词典》

5 retracted   

v.撤回或撤消( retract的过去式和过去分词 )；拒绝执行或遵守；缩回；拉回

参考例句：

• He made a false confession which he later retracted. 他作了假供词，后来又翻供。
• A caddy retracted his statement. 一个球童收回了他的话。 来自辞典例句

6 bowling   

n.保龄球运动

参考例句：

• Bowling is a popular sport with young and old.保龄球是老少都爱的运动。
• Which sport do you 1ike most,golf or bowling?你最喜欢什么运动，高尔夫还是保龄球？

7 stun   

vt.打昏，使昏迷，使震惊，使惊叹

参考例句：

• When they told me she had gone missing I was totally stunned.他们告诉我她不见了时，我当时完全惊呆了。
• Sam stood his ground and got a blow that stunned him.萨姆站在原地，被一下打昏了。

8 defender   

n.保卫者，拥护者，辩护人

参考例句：

• He shouldered off a defender and shot at goal.他用肩膀挡开防守队员，然后射门。
• The defender argued down the prosecutor at the court.辩护人在法庭上驳倒了起诉人。