For once England win on penalties 

Tournament favourite Japan are out of the FIFA Under 17 Women's world cup, losing on penalties to a spirited but quite fortunate England team.

England equalised in second-half injury time, and with no goals in extra time we were off to the dreaded penalty shootout for the first time in this tournament.

Japan's Natsumi Kameoka was the only player who failed to convert her penalty, and with England achieving a (surprising) 100% record Japan was out, 5-4 on penalties.

The Japanese side had scored 17 goals in three games coming into this quarter-final and should have netted three or four in the first half alone as they completely dominated the European team.

Twice Japan led; Both times England came back, the second time a spectacular effort from 40 metres with time virtually up on the clock.

England's defence kept them in the game, and in the second half they began to gain parity in midfield.

Extra-time produced few opportunities - the best fell to the Japanese in the 119th minute but again they failed to convert.

The Hamilton crowd have adopted the free-scoring Japanese team as their own and the local media officer told me there was a real sense of loss when they were taken away for the third group game.

But Japan were back and a large crowd greeted them on a sunny afternoon at Waikato stadium.

The Asian team completely dominated the opening stanza, creating a plethora of chances but failing to finish them off.

Chintasu Kira superb finish from a tight angle after a lovely diagonal through ball opened the scoring in the eighth minute and it seemed the floodgates were about to open.

England were outclassed for long periods of the first half, but a combination of stoic defence and a little bit of luck kept the ball out of the English net.

Just as the coaches were preparing their halftime talks, the game changed in an instant.

Japan turned over the ball casually in their own half and Lucy Staniforth saw her chance.

In the best traditions of English power forwards like Cyrille Regis and Emile Heskey, the number 11 striker burst through the Japanese defence, powered past the last defender before unleashing a thunderbolt from outside the area, giving Sakiko Ikeda in the Japanese goal no chance.

Japan had enjoyed 63% of first half possession, but suddenly had nothing to show for it and trudged off quite deflated.

In complete contrast, the England team charged off with a real spring in their step.

The second half began in the same pattern as the second had ended.

England came out with renewed energy, and began to trouble the Japanese defence in a way not seen in the group matches.

This Japanese team is already a special vintage, before this tournament teams from the land of the rising sun had only won seven matches of 32 played at FIFA women's world cups, and scored just 30 goals.

The class of 2008 in contrast chalked up three victories and 17 goals in their three group games.

The second half was a more even contest.

England looked dangerous on the counter attack, while Japan still monopolised possession but lacked the same cutting edge and were gradually worn down by the physicality of their opponents.

Danielle Carter was denied by a fingertip save from Ikeda in the 77th minute, after a charging run similar to Staniforth's goal-bound assault in the first half.

Just as it seemed that England's Bulldog spirit would see them hang on, the little magician Iwabuchi struck.

England's Lucy Bronze had marked her defiantly throughout the game, but the first time Iwabuchi got past Bronze she struck gold.

She sprinted into the area and calmly lifted the ball over Davey.

Game over, Japan into the semis and England off home after a gallant defeat.

Or maybe not.

As the clock ticked over ninety minutes, England's Isobel Christiansen launched a 40-yard speculator that drifted and drifted and drifted - over Ikeda and into the net.

The small pocket of English support erupted; while the Japanese coach collapsed to the ground in disbelief.

Christiansen, who had been fairly anonymous on attack, seemed more surprised than anyone.

There was still time for more thrills, as a late Japanese free kick and corner produced pinball like scrambles in the English penalty area as the Europeans produced desperate block after desperate block.

Extra-time produced few chances, as England seemed to be playing for penalties - quite a foolhardy stance given as a nation they probably have the worst record and temperament when it comes to penalties.

There was an amazing weaving run from Iwabuchi, where she beat three players inside the area in a style the great Argentinian Diego Maradona would have been proud of.

She was only denied a magical goal by an instinctive save from Davey.

There were few real chances in the second half of extra time - until the very last minute as Japan missed yet another golden opportunity and you sensed it was their last as penalties loomed.

Both sets of players showed remarkable poise throughout the shootout but you sensed England would prevail.

Lady luck had smiled upon them all day, their keeper was significantly taller than Japan's and they had the momentum after twice coming back from the dead.

And so it proved.