Women’s World Cup Day 12: Japan humbles Spain; Canada knocked out of tournament
Day 12 of the FIFA Women’s World Cup was crammed with headlines. Japan soared previous Spain to safe the highest spot of Group C, whereas Zambia secured their first-ever purpose and victory within the event.
In Group B motion, Australia placed on a present in entrance of a fiery house crowd to get rid of the Canadians. Over in Brisbane, the Republic of Ireland and Nigeria produced a draw to complete off the day.
THE RESULTS
GROUP C: Costa Rica 1, Zambia 3 (in Hamilton) – Game stats || Report
GROUP C: Japan 4, Spain 0 (in Wellington) – Game stats || Report
GROUP B: Rep. of Ireland 0, Nigeria 0 (in Brisbane) – Game stats || Report
GROUP B: Canada 0, Australia 4 (in Melbourne) – Game stats || Report
MAIN TALKING POINTS
Classy Japan high Group C after thumping Spain
Japan seemed like champions as they soared to the highest of Group C with a commanding 4-0 win
over La Roja.
Despite solely holding 32 per cent possession, three first-half objectives put Japan within the driver’s seat.
The Nadeshiko opened the scoring within the twelfth minute when Jun Endo curled a cross to a flying
Hinata Miyazawa, who calmly put the ball within the web.
Soon after, Riko Ueki, who celebrated her twenty fourth birthday yesterday, doubled their lead. She sped
down the left flank, shimmied the ball to her proper foot, and beat the Spanish keeper with a
highly effective and exact shot.
But Ueki didn’t cease there. Just earlier than halftime she slid the ball to Miyazawa, who fired Japan’s
third. Near the tip of a quiet second interval, substitute Mina Tanaka dashed down the fitting and
lower in the direction of the web earlier than she cannoned the ball into the highest left nook.
Futoshi Ikeda’s aspect accomplished an excellent group stage with three wins, 10 objectives and nil objectives
conceded. Their persistence on the ball and talent to capitalize have helped them emerge as one
of the event favourites.
Japan will now face Norway within the Round of 16, whereas Spain takes on Switzerland.
Canada bows out of the event with loss to Australia
Canada’s Women’s World Cup dream got here to an finish after Australia gained 3-0 in Melbourne.
It was a fairytale begin for the hosts when Hayley Raso whizzed the ball via the legs of Ashley Lawrence to seek out the underside left nook within the ninth minute. Half an hour later, Raso tucked away her second after Canada did not clear a nook.
Bev Priestman made 4 adjustments on the half for Canada, but it surely wasn’t sufficient. Manchester City ahead Mary Fowler made it 3-0 within the 58th minute, and Stephanie Catley scored from the penalty spot in stoppage time.
The Matildas completed high of their group for the primary time of their Women’s World Cup historical past. Canada is not going to advance for the primary time since 2011.
Australia will play the runners-up from Group D subsequent Monday. Star striker Sam Kerr didn’t go well with up for Australia at this time, however is anticipated to be out there for the knockouts.
MOMENT OF THE DAY
Barbra Banda scored the a thousandth purpose in FIFA Women’s World Cup historical past in Zambia’s fixture with Costa Rica.
The 23-year-old discovered the web from the spot within the thirty first minute. She stuttered throughout her lead as much as make goalkeeper Daniela Solera bounce, leaving a large open web for Banda to place the ball away with ease.
The referee awarded the penalty after the skipper was taken down within the field by a reaching Katherine Alvarado. The Costa Ricans argued the decision however have been unsuccessful.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“We had to defend for a long time, but everyone held out and it was good that in the end we could finish the game with a win and our smiles,” stated Japan goalscorer and VISA participant of the match Hinata Miyazawa.
NEWS OF THE DAY
Less than 24 hours earlier than Japan tangled with Spain, Wellington was shaken by an earthquake.
New Zealand’s capital suffered a tremor that measured 4.6 on the Richter scale, together with “moderate shaking” that occurred at 10:41 p.m. native time the evening earlier than the match.
Despite nearly 20,000 reviews, the earthquake didn’t trigger main harm and the match was in a position to proceed as scheduled.
THREE STARS OF THE DAY
1. Hinata Miyazawa, Japan: The 23-year-old scored a brace to assist the Nadeshiko earn a commanding victory. Miyazawa, who additionally recorded an help, used her pace, precision and consciousness to seek out the web and assist her crew high Group C.
2. Lushomo Mweemba, Zambia: Lushomo Mweemba’s looping shot earned Zambia their first-ever purpose on the Women’s World Cup. The 22-year-old made historical past simply three minutes into the match and supplied the Copper Queens with much-needed momentum.
3. Hayley Raso, Australia: The Real Madrid winger scored two objectives within the first half to ship Australia to the knockouts. The 28-year-old is deadly in entrance of the web and makes sensible selections with the ball to attain objectives and create probabilities for her teammates.
LOOKING AHEAD
The reigning Women’s World Cup champions USA return to the pitch on Tuesday after they face Portugal in Auckland (3:00 a.m. ET/12:00 a.m. PT). The Netherlands tackle Vietnam in Dunedin on the identical time. The USWNT are at present high of Group E with 4 factors and a greater purpose differential than the Netherlands, who sit in second. Portugal is in third, with Vietnam within the graveyard.
Group D additionally performs on Tuesday, with China PR taking over England in Hindmarsh (7:00 a.m. ET/4:00 a.m. PT). Haiti and Denmark face off on the identical time in Perth. The Lionesses and the Danes are the favourites to advance to the Round of 16, however tomorrow’s matches will decide who makes the lower.
