Women’s football Japan after beating Norway 3-1 in the World Cup quarter-finals
The Japanese have advanced to the quarterfinals of the World Cup. photo
© Alessandra Tarantino/AP/dpa
Japan remains undefeated at the World Cup and is in the quarterfinals. Although the tournament in Australia and New Zealand conceded the first goal, Norway is too weak.
Japan’s footballers continued their triumphant progress at the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand and are in the quarter-finals.
In the encounter between two former world champions in Wellington, coach Futoshi Ikeda’s team won 3-1 (1-1) against Norway. After the well-deserved success in the round of 16, the Asians will meet world champions USA or Sweden in Auckland next Friday.
Japan had taken the lead early on through an own goal by Norway’s Ingrid Syrstad Engen (15th minute), but shortly afterwards had to accept Guro Reit’s equalizer (20th). It was the team’s first conceded goal in the finals in game four. However, Risa Shimizu (50′) and Hinata Miyazawa (81′) made it clear in the second half.
The Japanese had impressed in the preliminary round with three wins, scored eleven goals and didn’t concede a single one. The 2011 world champions played courageously in attack and were rewarded early on. A cross from Miyazawa was deflected by Engen into his own goal. Even after the quick goal, the disciplined Japanese dominated the action again without any major problems.
Norway, world champions in 1995, disappointed in the second half and hardly had a chance to score again in attack. Even the substitution of the former world footballer Ada Hegerberg fifteen minutes before the end could not change that. Due to groin problems, the 28-year-old was able to play significantly less than hoped for at the World Cup.
dpa
#Subjects
