The result throws open Group A, where the top two teams advance to the quarterfinals.

Kelly Smith scored twice to rally England. With England trailing 1-0 with 10 minutes left, Smith beat two defenders at the edge of the box and smashed a low shot by Japanese goalkeeper Miho Fukumoto.

Two minutes later, she rode off a tackle inside the box, then knocked in the rebound after Fukumoto saved her first shot.

England, which outplayed Japan for most of the game, went behind early in the second half when Miyama dipped a 25-yard free kick over the wall into the right corner beyond the reach of Rachel Brown. Her second goal was from 30 yards.

Japan and England are grouped with defending champion Germany, which routed Argentina 11-0 yesterday. In a doubleheader Friday, England will play Germany and Japan will meet Argentina.

The game was midfield battle, with Smith vying with Japanese stars Homare Sawa, playing in her fourth World Cup, and Tomoe Sakai.

Both teams have poor records against Germany, which is ranked No. 2 in the FIFA rankings behind the United States.

England has just one draw in 16 games and Japan has lost all five times it has played Germany. Argentina is ranked 29th.