Japan beats Norway to reach quarterfinals of Women’s World Cup
WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — Japan scored its 14th objective of the Women’s World Cup and conceded its first Saturday, beating Norway 3-1 to succeed in the quarterfinals for the fourth time.
Hinata Miyazawa sealed the win together with her fifth objective of the event within the 81st minute to stay the main scorer. Risa Shimizu’s Fiftieth-minute objective adopted an Ingrid Syrstad Engen personal objective within the first half to assist in giving Japan its fourth straight win of the event.
Guro Reiten headed an excellent objective for Norway within the twenty first minute to finish Japan’s flawless defensive efficiency and depart the groups locked 1-1 a halftime.
After beating Spain 4-0 with solely 23% of possession in its group-stage finale, Japan as soon as once more was a tactical chameleon within the spherical of 16 — taking part in with greater than 60% of possession in a commanding efficiency.
Japan traded its common blue uniform for pastel colours Saturday, pink and purple. The softer coloration scheme did nothing to boring its attacking model; it pressed ahead from the beginning and had its first nook after two minutes.
While it was ineffective, it was an early declaration of intent. With lengthy balls or sharp, fast passing, Japan regularly pressed ahead and Norway, which conceded just one objective in group play, usually appeared rattled on the again.
When the protection lastly yielded, it was in uncommon circumstances. In the fifteenth minute Miyazawa curled the ball in from depth on the left and Engen prolonged her leg to parry the ball. She managed solely to deflect it extensive of Aurora Mikalsen in objective for the eighth personal objective of the event.
Japan appeared properly on prime however within the twenty first minute, and from the primary time within the match Norway had threatened, Vilda Boe Rise bought away on the fitting, took the ball to the byline and crossed to the center the place Guro Reiten stood tall and headed extensive of the diving Ayaka Yamashita into the left nook.
The objective got here completely towards the run of play. After a half-hour, Japan had 183 accomplished passes to Norway’s 88, had greater than 60%, 5 pictures on objective. Miyazawa, Aoba Fujino, Jun Endo and others had been threatening.
Shimizu’s winner got here within the Fiftieth minute as Japan pushed ahead once more from midway. Miyazawa tried to carry up the ball close to objective, misplaced possession to Boe Risa, who tried a again cross however rolled the ball into the trail of Shimizu dashing in from the fitting to attain.
Miyazawa produced a copybook end within the 81st, operating onto an excellent by way of ball and directing her shot extensive of Mikalsen.
Norway and Japan had met solely as soon as earlier than at a World Cup, in 1999, when Norway gained 4-0.
