Japan Soccer Women Fall To Germany In Algarve Cup Final

The dream is over. The Japanese woman's soccer team finally lost a match, 4-3 against Germany in the finals of the 2012 Algarve Cup, held in Faro, Portugal on March 7, 2012..

I wish I had better results for you, but until I do:

Germany took the lead in the 20th minute on a goal by Marozsan, with teammate Celia Okoyino da Mbabi scoring in the 22nd minute.

Japan's Kawasumi made it 2-1 in the 36th minute.

Tanaka of Japan equaled teh score 2-2 in the 55th minute.

The score remained tied until Okoyino da Mbabi scored her second for the Germans in the 88th minute.

Japan's never say quit attitude helped, as Nagasoto tited it 3-3 in th3 90th minute.

But... triumph turned to heartache as Okoyino da Mbabi scored her third goal of the match in the second minute of injury time allowing the Germans to claim the Algarve Cup, the third most important women's soccer tourney after the World Cup and the Olympics.   

Okoyino da Mbabi led all players in the tourney with 6 goals. Germany last won the yearly tournament in 2006.

While Japan captured third place in 2011, this year's showing of 2nd place, was their best ever.  

The U.S. women defeated Sweden 4-0 to capture third place in a match held earlier that day.

Compiled by Andrew Joseph