<!--Article Start--> <p style="text-align: justify"><strong><em>Champions Japan face a real threat from England as the Asian giants look to keep their Women's World Cup title defence on track in Wednesday's semi-final in Edmonton.</em></strong></p> <p style="text-align: justify">Japan's 'Nadeshiko' are the only unbeaten team left after opening their campaign with a 1-0 win over Switzerland three weeks ago in the sunshine of Vancouver's west coast.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">England by contrast started their quest for a maiden title with a 1-0 loss to France in windy and wet conditions on the east in Moncton.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">But England's 'Lionesses' have been gaining momentum, beating Mexico, Colombia, 1995 champions Norway and hosts Canada all by 2-1 scorelines, to reach their first semi-finals.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">Japan overran Australia 1-0 in the quarter-finals and have won all their games by a one-goal margin with the impressive depth of their team demonstrated by their seven goals having come from different players.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">The 'Nadeshiko' defence is also solid -- they have conceded just two goals in five matches.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">But England's front line have put in eight goals with Lucy Bronze and Karen Carney both scoring twice.</p> <p style="text-align: justify"><strong>No longer underdogs</strong></p> <p style="text-align: justify">England coach Mark Sampson believes his sixth-ranked side can take heart from being unbeaten against the Japanese, ranked fourth, in their three previous matches.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">England were the only team to beat Japan at the 2011 World Cup, winning 2-0 before the Asian side went on to claim the title. They also played out a 2-2 draw in 2007 tournament.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">"I'm not sure there are underdogs any more," said Sampson.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">"They've been one of the most exciting teams to watch, they haven't scored many goals but they havent conceded many, we're playing the current world champions, it's going to be a huge challenge."</p> <p style="text-align: justify">Japan coach Norio Sasaki brushed aside talk of past results.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">"We will not think of negative past results just focus on those on front of us," he said.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">But Bronze warned: "Japan are the favourites, we know that, but we're confident. We know how we can beat them. England are going all the way!"</p> <p style="text-align: justify">Sampson is hopeful goalie Karen Bardsley will be fit after leaving the quarter-final against Canada in the second half with swelling under her right eye, and being replaced by Siobhan Chamberlain.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">Bardsley has started each of England's five games and conceded a goal in each.</p> <p style="text-align: justify"><strong>Lionesses feeling the love</strong></p> <p style="text-align: justify">Both sides have high expectations at home with Englanda s historic run to the semi-finals attracting millions of viewers.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">The team have been overwhelmed with messages on social media - from former England men's captain David Beckham to current skipper Wayne Rooney.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">Kelly Simmons, FA director of women's football, told BBC Sport: "It feels like the nation has fallen in love with the Lionesses.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">"It's a tipping point as many millions have got behind them."</p> <p style="text-align: justify">"Awareness levels have never been higher surrounding the quality of women's football and all the work that has gone into helping them get where they are now - which is competing at the very top."</p> <p style="text-align: justify">And the Japan coach also said expectations of delivering back-to-back titles were high at home.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">"We would like to fight very hard thinking of the people who support us back in Japan," he said.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">"The emotion that we created in 2011 we certainly would like to be able to recreate that for the Japanese people."</p> <p style="text-align: justify">And Sasaki believes his side have an advantage having played their previous game in Edmonton's Commonwealth Stadium with England travelling 1,160km from Vancouver.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">"The opponents will be coming from Vancouver and I strongly feel that will be an advantage for us," he said.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">The winner will play one of the world's top two teams - either Germany or the United States - with the former two-time winners clashing in Montreal on Tuesday.</p> . <p style="text-align: justify"><strong>By AFP</strong></p>