Japan, USA set for battle royale in World Cup final

FRANKFURT (AFP) - Japan and the USA clash on Sunday at the women's World Cup final with both sides having collected plenty of fans along the way in what will be the battle of the come-back queens.

Despite damp conditions, plenty of USA supporters decked out in the Stars and Stripes and Japanese fans wearing their country's flag with pride were on the streets of Frankfurt ahead of the 2045 (local time) kick-off.

Having lost 2-0 to England in the group stages, Japan bounced back to floor Germany in the quarter-finals and then dominated Sweden 3-1 in the semi-final.

The USA left it until the 122nd minute of their quarter-final against Brazil as a Abby Wambach header levelled the scores at 2-2 in extra time before winning their quarter-final on a penalty shoot-out.

That victory has won over many football fans, including US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

Representing the US at Frankfurt stadium will be Dr Jill Biden, the wife of US vice-president Joe Biden, along with Hillary and Bill Clinton's daughter Chelsea.

"I am going to be watching," Hillary Clinton told reporters in Athens.

"I'm so excited. I am so proud of the US women. Dr Biden is there and my daughter was asked to accompany her.

"So we have a really good cheering section and I've just got the highest hopes that this great team, which has such resilience, will be coming back and winning for the US.

"The game that they played against Brazil, which Bill and I watched on the internet, was one of the best soccer games I've ever seen."

Likewise, Japan have impressed here as the Nadeshiko—a flower symbolising grace and beauty—have combined slick passing and deadly finishing to book their place in the final.

Just four months after the massive earthquake and resulting tsunami which devastated the northeast coast on March 11, Japan is still recovering.

Captain Homare Sawa, who is playing her fifth World Cup, says her team hopes to win the final to give hope and inspiration to their countrymen affected by the tragedy.

"It is not easy for Japan at the moment," said the 32-year-old.

"We are happy to have the chance to play under these circumstances and we want to give strength and hope to people back home."