Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Rennes: A majority of Japan’s squad are appearing in their first FIFA Women’s World Cup, but the Nadeshiko spirit which saw the nation become Asia’s first world champions remains according to Asako Takakura, who urged her side to dig deep against the Netherlands on Tuesday.
Takakura’s side come into the win-or-go-home Round of 16 clash following an arduous group stage, which included an unexpected goalless draw against Argentina, and a 2-0 defeat to England in Nice on Wednesday.
By contrast, the Netherlands eased through the opening round with three successive wins and a star attacking trio of Vivianne Miedema, Lieke Martens and Shanice van de Sanden living up to their billing with a series of blistering performances.
www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/afc_womens_coach_of_the_year_2019_asako_takakura_japan_1.html
www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/japan-netherlands-algarve_cup-afp.html
www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/_japan_v_england_-_2019_fifa_womens_world_cup.html
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www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/japan-usa-2015-wwc-final-afp.html
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Montpellier: Jia Xiuquan is satisfied with China PR’s FIFA Women’s World Cup performances so far, but he called on his side to reach new levels in Tuesday’s Round or 16 clash against Italy at Stade de la Mosson.
The Steel Roses emerged from a Group B containing Germany, Spain and South Africa in third place, conceding just one goal to reach the knockout stage for the seventh time,
Their reward for that achievement is a Round of 16 clash against an Italian side which, in their first appearance on the world stage since 1999, topped a group featuring Australia and Brazil.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Nice: Improve or go home – that was Japan head coach Asako Takakura’s ultimatum to her side after they finished their FIFA Women’s World Cup France 2019 group stage campaign with a 2-0 defeat to England on Wednesday.
The Nadeshiko don’t yet know whether they’ll meet Canada or the Netherlands in Tuesday’s Round of 16 clash in Rennes, but, according to Takakura, it will make little difference to their prospects of success of France unless they can produce better performances.
“If we maintain the way we are playing at the moment, we will be knocked out in the next round,” she said. “Our players are aware of that.”
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Nice: Japan suffered their first defeat at the FIFA Women’s World Cup France 2019, conceding a goal in each half to lose 2-0 to group winners England on Wednesday.
England made eight changes to the side that beat Argentina 1-0 last Friday, but a brace from Ellen White meant the Nadeshiko finished the first part of their campaign as Group D runners-up.
Asako Takakura’s side will now meet either the Netherlands or Canada in the Round of 16 on Tuesday, after Scotland and Argentina drew 3-3 in the other Group D match.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Paris: They are colleagues at club level in the team that dominates European women's football, but Saki Kumagai and Lucy Bronze will be coming up against one another at a second consecutive FIFA Women's World Cup when Japan and England clash on Wednesday.
In 2015, it was Kumagai's Japan who emerged victorious in the semi-finals in Canada, a stoppage-time Laura Bassett own goal giving them a 2-1 win over Bronze's England on their way to a 5-2 defeat in the final against the United States.
Prior to that, it was England who triumphed 2-0 in the 2011 group stage in Germany, but on that occasion Japan went on to win the trophy while England went out in the quarter-finals.
That was before Bronze had made her senior international debut and the right-back is confident England are better equipped than ever to go all the way after several near misses in recent years.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Rennes: Mana Iwabuchi returned to the starting line-up for Japan’s second FIFA Women’s World Cup France 2019 group stage fixture, and so did the Nadeshiko’s attacking verve as they sealed a pivotal 2-1 win over Scotland on Friday.
The 2018 AFC Women’s Asian Cup’s Most Valuable Player only featured as a substitute in Japan’s 0-0 Matchday One draw against Argentina, but she made the most of her recall against the Scots, giving her side a 23rd-minute lead with a crashing 20-yard drive.
It proved to be one of the key moments in the all-important clash, and Iwabuchi was awarded Player of the Match for an excellent overall contribution alongside Yuika Sugasawa.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Rennes: Japan put themselves to within touching distance of a place in the FIFA Women’s World Cup France 2019’s knockout stage, producing an improved performance to beat Scotland 2-1 on Friday.
The Asian champions had a point to prove after their lacklustre 0-0 draw with Argentina on Monday, and a youthful Nadeshiko looked more like the team which has appeared in the past two World Cup Finals.
A thumping opening goal from the reinstated Mana Iwabuchi got Japan going in the 23rd minute, before Yuika Sugasawa doubled the lead 14 minutes later, but they had to endure a nervy finale after Lana Clelland pulled a goal back for Scotland with two minutes remaining.