Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Vannes: As Japan basks in the glory of becoming FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup champions for the first time, the-AFC.com looks back on the pivotal moments of their campaign.
While Japan, undoubtedly, played their best football in the 3-1 win over Spain in Friday's final, their journey to the final had several key moments.
Hayashi's howitzer
Japan 1-0 United States: Group C, Matchday One
In a match which many fans expected to produce Group C's two quarter-finalists, the Young Nadeshiko claimed three crucial points thanks to a spectacular moment on invention from Honoka Hayashi.
The Cerezo Osaka midfielder saw US goalkeeper Laurel Ivory off her line and rattled in a magnificent 35-yard effort from which the three-time champions never really recovered, with a 2-2 draw against Spain a week later sealing their group stage elimination.
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Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Vannes: After Japan defeated Spain 3-1 to win the 2018 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup in France, Moeka Minami revealed her delight at lifting the trophy, labelling it the best moment of her life.
As Young Nadeshiko captain, Minami, 19, had the responsibility of kicking off the celebrations at Stade de la Rabine and the star defender was only too happy to do the honours after being handed the trophy by FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
"We were able to win; I am really happy. It was a long time coming," she said. "The moment I put up the cup, I was most happy in my life."
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Vannes: Japan completed the trifecta of Women's World Cups by winning the FIFA U-20 title on Friday to add to the 2011 World Cup and 2014 FIFA U-17 titles, becoming the first nation to win all three crowns.
The 3-1 win over Spain in the final on Friday was remarkable as the European champions had defeated Japan 1-0 in the group stage and looked to have a slight edge going into the final.
Head coach Futoshi Ikeda had set his team a target of making the final but the Young Nadeshiko went one better to create history.
Join the-AFC.com as we relive Japan's historic victory at Stade de la Rabine.
Images: FIFA via Getty Images
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: AFC President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa has congratulated Japan for capturing their first-ever FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup title after defeating Spain 3-1 in a thrilling final at the Stade de la Rabine, Vannes in France on Friday evening.
Shaikh Salman said: “Japan can take immense pride in their victory. Their remarkable display in France exemplifies our Vision and Mission to ensure our teams shine on the world’s biggest stage.
“On behalf of the Asian football family, I would like to congratulate the Japan Football Association for strengthening the foundation for the women’s game to thrive. I have no doubts that this historic triumph will serve as a catalyst to take women’s football to even greater heights.
“Asia has been a global force in the women’s game and this latest achievement confirms the AFC’s position as the new standard bearers in the world of women's youth football.”
Goals from Hinata Miyazawa, Saori Takarda and Fuka Nagano gave the Japanese a 3-0 lead from which Spain were unable to recover, despite Candela Andujar's consolation. The historic win makes Japan the first country to complete the trifecta of Women's World Cups at senior, U-20 and U-17 levels, and the first new name of the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup trophy since DPR Korea in 2006.