Japan might have started the tournament as dark horse contenders for the Women’s World Cup.
Monday night’s win over Spain might just bump them up into genuine challengers for the title, thrashing the European side 4-0 after a first-half masterclass from Hinata Miyazawa and Riko Ueki, who combined for the first three goals.
Japan, champions in 2011, are ranked 11th in the world – one behind Australia and five spots behind a Spain team featuring two-time reigning Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas.
Both teams have been in sensational form to start the tournament, each beating Costa Rica and debutants Zambia in thumping fashion, with a combined 15 goals scored and none conceded.
That ensured the duo would progress before Monday’s meeting, which only mattered to decide which team would finish top of Group C and therefore face the second-placed team from Group A (Norway) in the knockouts.
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Spain fielded a very strong side for the encounter, while Japan made five changes. But the Asian side utterly dominated the first half, scoring three times with a clinical counterattacking approach.
They were more than happy to cede possession to the Spaniards, who looked devoid of ideas against a disciplined Japan defence.
But when Spain lost the ball, Japan transitioned at pace, carving apart the Spanish defence – and scoring with their only three shots of the first half, as well as their only three touches inside Spain’s penalty area in the first half.
The first goal came in the 12th minute. Midfield star Jun Endo received the ball on the left flank near the halfway line and curled a perfectly-weighted pass behind Spain’s high line.
Ueki couldn’t quite reach the ball, but 23-year-old Miyazawa raced from the clouds to touch it away from a defender and slide it into the bottom corner.
Remarkably, it was the first goal Spain had conceded in seven games.
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In the 29th minute, it was fellow 23-year-old Ueki’s turn to find the net. The play started from a clearance on Japan’s own penalty area, but they quickly progressed it up the field with a string of quick passes. Miyazawa made the last pass for Ueki, whose shot was heavily deflected past Spain keeper Rodriguez
Ueki turned provider for Miyazawa for the third goal in the 40th minute, with Ueki charging at a retreating defensive line, waiting for Miyazawa to race up in support, then playing a beautiful through ball for Miyazawa to finish in thumping style.
Spain had 77 per cent of possession in the first half and had 470 passes to Japan’s 144 – but their inability to handle the pace and movement of Miyazawa brought them undone.
Spain turned to their bench in the second half, and while the flow of Japan goals was staunched, Spain hardly ever challenged Japan’s defence.
And Japan hit on the counter once again in the 82nd minute through substitute Mina Tanaka, who brilliantly danced her way through the defence on the right hand side and blasted it into the roof of the net.
It meant that Japan had taken five shots on target in the match, with four of them resulting in goals. Japan finished the match with just 23 percent possession.
ZAMBIA CLAIM FIRST WIN!
Meanwhile, Zambia and Costa Rica – both already unable to progress – played out a fascinating clash of their own, with debutants Zambia scoring their first goals in World Cup history en route to their first-ever win.
The first was a looping finish in the third minute from Lushomo Mweemba, before captain and superstar striker Barbra Banda earned a penalty and then converted it herself. Her goal was the 1,000th in Women’s World Cup history.
Costa Rica hit back just two minutes after the break through Melissa Herrera, when a corner bounced around the six-yard box and was bundled home. Coasta Rica had plenty of chances and a penalty shout turned down after a lengthy VAR review, before Zambia sealed their maiden win with a neat goal in the third minute of stoppage time.
A clever pass from Barbra Banda to Rachael Kundananji was finished from near the penalty spot, making it 3-1.
LIVE
Costa Rica 1-3 Zambia, Waikato (Herrera 47’; Mweemba 3’, Banda 31’ pen, Kundananji 90+3’):MATCH CENTRE
Japan 4-0 Spain, Wellington (Miyazawa 12’, 40’, Ueki 29’, Tanaka 82’) MATCH CENTRE
UPCOMING
Ireland v Nigeria, Brisbane, 8pm: MATCH CENTRE
Canada v Australia, Melbourne, 8pm MATCH CENTRE
