England will play Japan in the Women's World Cup 2015 semi final on Wednesday to see who will make it through to the climax of the competition, which will be a game against the USA at the weekend. The game has a scheduled start time of 7 p.m. ET and takes place from the Commonwealth Stadium in Canada. The game can be watched on TV on the Fox Sports 1 network or online through live stream via the link below.
Japan will be huge favorites to win this game today. The reigning World Cup champions are one of the best teams technically in the world, and they come into today's game being the only side to have won every game so far.
However, after England's amazing run to the semi finals, it would be wrong to write them off now, and they will be putting it all on the line to pull off what would be the biggest win in their history by far and knock out the reigning champs.
Japan are ranked number 4 in the world, compared to England at number 6, however, in most pundits' opinions there is a gulf of class between these two sides. But despite Japan being overwhelming favorites, England have never lost to Japan before. In the past there have been three meetings between these two teams, with England winning one, and there being two draws.
Japan will be hoping to claim their first ever win over England to set up a repeat of the final from four years ago, between themselves and the USA. Japan would love to repeat their success from the World Cup in 2011, and a another World Cup title this year would cement them as the number 1 side, even if the rankings don't reflect that, and would place them alongside the USA and Germany as the only sides to have won the Women's World Cup twice.
The World Cup run from this England team has captured the imagination of the British nation, and women's football has taken a rare center stage billing with millions set to tune in to watch tonight's semi final.
England manager Mark Sampson has called on the English nation to give their full support to the Lionesses for tonight's game, highlighting that this is only the third time that an English football team has made the semi-finals of a World Cup; adding to 1966 when England won the World Cup, and 1990 when they were eliminated by Germany on penalties - both in the men's game.
Prince William, David Beckham, Wayne Rooney, and actress Emma Watson are among the big names and celebrities who have publicly given their support to the England team, and many say even if England lose today, the team's success to get this far will already help to give a massive surge of interest in women's football in England.
England started their World Cup with a 0-1 loss to France, a team ranked number 3 in the world. However, they bounced back to ensure they qualified from the group stages with excellent wins over Mexico and Colombia.
In the Round of 16 they saw off a difficult Norway team, and in the quarter finals they managed to eliminate host nation Canada in front of more than 50,000 Canadian fans to spark wild celebrations and shock many at the World Cup that never thought they would get that far.
If England are to win this game they must keep things tight and must take their chances up front when they come. Japan have one of the best defenses in the tournament, conceding just two goals up until now. That means England may only get a few clear opportunities in today's game, and when they come they simply must make them count.
Sampson has said, "This tournament has transpired in a way that gives us huge belief that whatever happens against Japan, this team will find a way to get themselves through to the final. This England team will be the last team to leave Canada. We know the task ahead is huge, but we really feel that something is happening that gives us that sense of belief, that higher purpose, that we will find a way to be the last team to go home."
Today's big Women's World Cup semi final between England and Japan has a scheduled start time of 7 p.m. ET and can be watched on TV on the Fox Sports 1 channel or online through live stream by clicking here.
