- Philip Morrissey
- Sat, Aug 05 2023
2011 winners Japan cruised into the last eight with a convincing win over Norway in the early hours of Saturday morning.
Having seen their lead cancelled out early on, they secured their spot through goals in the second half from Riza Shimizu and Hinata Miyazawa. In truth it could have been more as the fact that they have had seven different goal scorers in this competition shows their potency.
It is a disappointing exit for the Europeans who have flattered to deceive in this tournament. They recovered from the concession of an early goal to draw themselves level before half-time.
They were unable to build upon that however and questions will be asked of Heige Riise regarding their late substitutions and negative approach.
Japan elected to make three changes to the side that hammered Spain 4-0 to secure top spot in the group. In more of an attacking set up, Yui Hasegawa, Mina Tanaka and Aboa Fujino all came back into the side.
They replaced Honoka Hayashi, Riko Ueki, and Hikaru Naomoto. Ayaka Yamashita and her back-line had yet to concede a goal in the tournament.
Norway were still without the services of star player Ada Hegerberg after a groin injury in the opening game.
Sophie Roman Raug started in her absence after a hat-trick against The Philippines to qualify for the last 16. They made one change from that game with Ingrid Syrstad Engen coming in ahead of Frida Maanum in midfield.
Even in the early stages, Norway were already dropping deep into their own half with five at the back and two in midfield providing a shield for them. Japan were looking to get crosses in from their wide players.
Mina Tanaka and Risa Shimizu were unable to make the necessary contact on them. Hinata Miyazawa was then just off target with an effort from distance.
The pressure did tell and eventually Norway cracked. Miyazawa got out wide on this occasion before clipping over a cross. Ingrid Engen seemed to have gotten all her bearings wrong and was only able to prod the ball past the desperate scramble of Aurora Mikalsen.
They were completely in charge at this point and Miyazawa almost got a second when she took advantage of loose defending. Her effort was blocked away at the end.
Out of the blue, Norway landed the equaliser. It was the first opportunity that Caroline Graham Hansen managed to get on the ball in the opposition half.
She played it out to Vilde Boe Risa who put in an excellent cross. Guro Reitan rose highest to head past Yamashita for the first goal she has conceded in this tournament.
Japan were still seeing most of the ball in the opposition half even after that concession. The impressive Yui Hasegawa and Fuka Nagano constantly finding space in dangerous areas and seeking opportunities to get it forward.
It seemed a puzzling tactic to allow them as much space as they did considering the Japanese capacity to strike in tight spaces. Shimizu had a chance from about twenty yards before the break that went just over.
The second half begun in similar fashion as Miyazawa got behind their back of the Norwegian defence. Under pressure from Maren Mjelde, she was only able to shoot wide.
Norway did not heed their lesson though and found themselves trailing once more. Yet again it was due to mistakes at the back. Hasegawa picked up the ball in a dangerous area which caused panic in the backline.
Her pass was intercepted but Boe Risa inexplicably played a ball out wide in her own area. It was picked up by Shimizu whose shot took a deflection off Engen and past Mikalsen. Hasegawa was then off target as Japan sought to kill the game.
Norway needed to change things up, but substitutes were brought on without changing the overall shape. It was actually a Japanese sub who extended the lead. Riko Ueki burst down the left-hand side and past Engen.
Mjelde was alive to the danger and headed the cross to Miyazawa into the arms of her keeper. Miyazawa then almost played in Aoba Fujino who had got clear of two defenders who mis-controlled when it counted.
Norway had to go for broke and with Hegerberg on the pitch, they started to get the ball forward with immediate effect. Sophie Haug had a chance off target before Karina Saevik dragged her shot wide after it ricocheted into her path.
The best chance came when Frida Maanum who was un-marked yards from goal. Her header was straight at Yamashita though.
With Norway piling forward, spaces were going to become open at the back. Japan exploited that with ruthless efficiency to land their third. Fujino picked up the ball in space in midfield.
She spotted Riko Ueki going out wide to stretch the back-line to allow her to thread a perfect ball through for Miyazawa. She evaded the attention of Engen to latch onto the pass and slot past Mikalsen.
Norway could not even land a consolation goal to make the last minutes tense. Haug headed the ball across the area for Saevik who was un-marked yards from goal. Her point-blank header was palmed out by Yamashita though.
Warm embraces and smiles from the Japanese players which was a marked contrast to the Norwegian players.
There will be questions asked of Heige Riise after a second poor tournament in a row.
For Japan, they now face the winners of France and Sweden in a heavy-weight clash in the quarters. That will be played on 11th of August at 08.30 GMT.
Japan Women: Ayaka Yamashita; Saki Kumagai, Moeka Minami, Hana Takahashi; Jun Endo, Yui Hasegawa, Fuka Nagano, Risa Shimizu; Aoba Fujino, Hinata Miyazawa, Mina Tanaka (Riko Ueki 71).
Subs not used: Momoko Tanaka, Chika Hirao, Shiori Miyake, Miyabi Moriya, Rion Ishikawa, Kiko Seike, Honoka Hayashi, Hikaru Naomoto, Hina Sugita, Maika Hamano, Remina Chiba.
Booked: None.
Sent off: None.
Norway Women: Aurora Mikalsen; Thea Bjelde (Sara Hørte 87), Tuva Hansen (Ada Hegerberg 74), Mathilde Harviken, Maren Mjelde; Vilde Boe Risa (Frida Maanum 63), Guro Reiten, Ingrid Syrstad Engen; Emilie Haavi (Karina Sævik 63), Caroline Hansen, Sophie Haug.
Subs not used: Cecilie Fiskerstrand, Guro Pettersen, Guro Bergsvand, Marit Lund, Anja Sønstevold, Anna Jøsendal, Amalie Eikeland, Julie Blakstad.
Booked: None.
Sent off: None.
Referee: Edina Alves Batista
Attendance: 33,042
extratime.com Player of the Match: Yui Hasegawa
