Substitute forward Debbie Keller scored two second half goals, including the winner in the 90th minute, as the U.S. women’s national team rallied for a 2-1 win over Japan May 17 at Tokyo’s National Stadium. More than 23,000 vocal fans filled the stadium during the match, in anticipation of seeing their men’s national team play Paraguay in the Kirin Cup following the women’s game, and their chanting and singing almost spurred Japan to victory. They were thrilled in the 14th minute, as Japan took the lead with its first shot. A succession of square passes sprang Tamaki Uchiyama into the right side of the U.S. penalty box, and she crossed the ball on the ground to Nami Otake at the far post, where she first-timed a shot into the left corner. Shortly thereafter, U.S. forward Mia Hamm had to leave the game with an injured hamstring. She was replaced by Cindy Parlow. Japan proceeded to fall back into its defensive half, playing with just one forward and forced the U.S. to try and break down a packed defense. Keller came on at halftime in place of Tiffeny Milbrett who suffered a strained tendon in her left foot. The former UNC star equalized for the U.S. in the 71st minute, when Julie Foudy played a short cross into the middle for Tisha Venturini, whose deft header put Keller behind the defense. She raced in on goal and bent a shot into the right corner from 12 yards out that the Japanese keeper got a hand on but was unable to keep out of the net. The U.S. pressed in search of the winning goal, narrowly missing in the 85th minute when Foudy’s shot from a tight angle on the right side went just wide. In the final minute, the U.S. earned a free kick 30 yards from the goal. Kristine Lilly took the kick quickly, springing Sara Whalen behind the Japanese defense on the right wing. Whalen drove a cross that was met by Brandi Chastain, whose overhead volley forced a brilliant reaction save from the Japanese keeper Yamago, but the ball bounced free and Keller nodded the rebound into the net from two yards out to give the U.S. the dramatic victory. “It was fun to play in this kind of atmosphere,” said Keller. “Coming off the bench, I have to make the most of my opportunities. Brandi’s volley was unbelievable and the ball bounced right to me. We knew we could get another goal and we just kept pushing until they broke.” The win was the Americans’ first of the year over a team that has already qualified for the 1999 Women’s World Cup. “We weren’t sharp, and maybe some of that was the travel,” said U.S. head coach Tony DiCicco, whose team arrived in Japan on May 14. “But Japan played a smart, tactical game that almost worked. It shows that the level of sophistication of the teams around the world is rising. Japan was disciplined on defense and difficult to break down, but the U.S. team excels in the psychological part of the game, and that got us through. Losing Mia and Tiffeny with injuries certainly hurt, but Debbie Keller had the answers today.” Hamm, who pulled the hamstring just above the back of her right knee, is listed as doubtful for the next game of the USA’s three-game tour on May 21 in Kobe. Milbrett is listed as probable. The two teams will meet for the final time May 24 in Yokohama. NOTES: Kristine Lilly tied the world record for all-time international appearances. Both she and retired Norway star Heidi Stoere have 151. Lilly is set to break the mark May 21…. The win was DiCicco’s 66th at the helm of the U.S., breaking Anson Dorrance’s record for most wins by a head coach in the history of U.S. Soccer…. Tisha Venturini made her 100th appearance for the USA. May 17 in Tokyo Japan 1 USA 2. Goals: Otake 14; Keller 71, 90. Japan — Yamago, Yamaki, Nishina, Tomei, Isozaki, Sakai (Omatsu, 76), Sawa, Mitsui, Sugawara (Hara, 46), Otake, Uchiyama. USA — Scurry, Overbeck (Whalen, 68), Chastain, Pearce (Fair, 58), Fawcett, Foudy, Venturini, MacMillan (Roberts, 58), Milbrett (Keller, 46), Lilly, Hamm (Parlow, 20). Yellow cards: Japan — Sawa 83; USA — Chastain 86. Referee: Lim Eun Ju (South Korea). Att.: 23,774.