Japan continues its victorious road. Excellent in the first phase, the Japanese confirmed in the round of 16 against Norway on Saturday in Wellington (3-1). Largely dominating against opponents who were too passive, they quickly opened the scoring with an own goal from Ingrid Syrstad-Engen (15th). Guro Reiten equalized (20th) but Risa Shimizu (50th) and Hinata Miyazawa (81st) still shook the Scandinavian nets.
After flying over group C with three clear successes and no goals conceded, Japan logically took matters into their own hands against the Norwegians determined to turn their backs. All folded in their half of the field, the Scandinavians suffered a lot and cracked on an unfortunate csc from Syrstad-Engen, back as holder and who deflected a long Japanese cross into the cage of Aurora Mikalsen (1-0, 15th) .
A Norway without ideas
Still deprived at the kickoff of Ada Hegeberg, diminished, the players of Hege Riise could have suffered the blow. On the contrary, they immediately reacted and above all equalized on their first and only offensive of the first period. Caroline Graham-Hansen spun to the right and allowed Vilde Boe Risa to place her cross on Reiten’s head at the penalty spot for a recovery that was both precise and powerful (1-1, 20th). After this first goal conceded in this World Cup, Japan retained the ascendancy in the game but lost the thread of its intentions by abusing imprecise aerial balloons.
Futoshi Ikeda’s Nadeshiko regained their lucidity after the break and again put pressure on a Norwegian defense which missed the recovery in its area. Shimizu took the opportunity to adjust Mikalsen closely (2-1, 50th). Norway, who hoped to be able to play more forward in this second period, again curled up in a 5-4-1 in the defensive phase.
Ingrid Syrstad Engen (Norway) grapples with Mina Tanaka (Japan) in the round of 16 of the 2023 World Cup.
Credit: Getty Images
Miyazawa goes on
Japan was able to manage the debates until the last quarter of an hour when Norway and its entrants including Hegerberg (75th) finally reacted and decided to offer offensive play. Karina Saevik (77th) then Frida Maanum (78th) however lacked realism. The sanction fell in stride with a fatal Japanese counter concluded perfectly by Miyazawa, superbly launched in the axis by Aoba Fujino (3-1, 81st).
Miyazawa is now at 5 goals in this World Cup, of which she is alone at the top of the scoring charts. Japanese goalkeeper Ayaka Yamashita prevented Saevik and his teammates from regaining hope in added time by making a huge save on his line. Japan is making its way and will face Sweden or the United States next Friday in the quarter-finals.