Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Vannes: A world title and a unique international football achievement are up for grabs as Japan prepare to face Spain in Friday's FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup France 2018 Final.
Four wins in five matches have the Young Nadeshiko potentially 90 minutes away from glory, with highly-impressive knockout stage victories over Germany and England securing their place in the decider.
If the Asian champions lift the trophy at Stade de la Rabine, they will become the first nation to have won FIFA Women's World Cups at U-17, U-20 and senior level.
Five of the current U-20 squad were among the side that became U-17 champions in Costa Rica four years ago, while the senior women's national team's 'golden generation' famously lifted the Women's World Cup in Germany in 2011.


www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/futoshi_ikeda_with_japan_players_-_fifa_u-20_world_cup_2018.html

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Vannes: Riko Ueki is in the running for the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup Golden Boot but the striker has only one target - steering Japan to the title.
The Young Nadeshiko play Spain in Friday's final and Ueki, who scored her side's first goal in Monday's 2-0 semi-final triumph over England, said teamwork is going to be key in overcoming the European side.
The teams met in the preliminary stage, with Spain winning the Group C clash 1-0, and Ueki expects another tough match.
“If I was to become top scorer, I would be very proud, but the priority is to win the championship for this team,” Ueki said.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Vannes: Head coach Futsohi Ikeda has expressed his satisfaction at Japan's 2-0 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup semi-final win over England, one which puts them within 90 minutes of becoming champions.
Goals to Riko Ueki and Jun Endo mean only Spain - who defeated the Asian champions in group stage play on August 9 - stand between Japan and a first ever world championship at U-20 level.
Speaking after the semi-final in Vannes, Ikeda praised his players' mentality.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Vannes: Japan secured a place in their first ever FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup Final, after earning a 2-0 semi-final win over England at Stade de la Rabine on Monday.
A faultless first half performance laid the foundation for the win, as Riko Ueki and Jun Endo continued their excellent form with a goal each inside the opening half hour.
Japan will now face Spain, who beat France 1-0 in the other semi-final, in Friday's final, giving Futoshi Ikeda's side the opportunity to add the title of world champions to the AFC U-19 Women's Championship they won in China last October.
In their third FIFA U-20 semi-final in six years, Japan produced a first half performance of such quality that it arguably surpassed even their sparkling display against Germany three days earlier.