Japan have qualified for the quarter-finals of the 2023 FIFA women’s World Cup, after beating Norway 3-1 in Saturday’s round of 16 fixture.
The Japanese have now won their last three games with Norway.
An own goal by Ingrid Engen in the 15th minute saw Japan take the lead.
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Norway equalised in the 20th minute thanks to Guro Reiten but five minutes into the second half Risa Shimizu scored to put Japan 2-1 up.
With nine minutes left Japan added a third through Hinata Miyazawa.
The 2011 World Cup winners will now face either USA or Sweden in the quarter-finals.
Earlier on Saturday Spain hammered Switzerland 5-1 to progress into the last eight.
11 Comments
Someone here thrashed Japan’s style some days back. Well, with average age of 25, this team is fearsome in my opinion. I thought Norway would pile up pressure with headers and crosses (their goal was a header) but you can’t do anything with the ball you don’t have. Japan looks like a contender for me
I was the one that said it but I’m so surprised that nobody is noticing those Japanese.
They kept winning their matches with 3 to 4 Goal margins but people didn’t notice this. With our strong defense we still conceded two good goals against them (though in a friendly)
Hmmm… I dey fear Ojuju I dey fear..
You are right, they look unstoppable right now. They are so efficient, and their speed with the ball is unmatched. They make up for their lack of height with sheer agility and disciple. Who would stop them in this world cup.
Japan and Spain (1st and 2nd in group C) dump out Norway and Switzerland (1st and 2nd in Group A). Goes to show some groups are tougher (like Nigeria’s group B) than others (like England’s group C).
My point is England, while a good team, is riding on a false positive and overestimating their strength. It was just as we had maximum points in the group stage at the last Afcon but couldn’t beat a 3rd-placed Tunisian team in their own group).
3 African teams pulled through to R16, the 4th team, Zambia just got unlucky being paired with these heavyweights, Japan and Spain, and so could only manage a 3rd place finish. Nigeria had the same date, but experience saw us through to edge out one of the heavyweights.
England-Nigeria is going to be 50/50 and England is going to be more surprised if they didn’t factor that logic. We’ll also amass 9 points if we replaced them in group D.
I have been reading your comments Kel and I have to say I admire your confidence. Ayphilly said, regardless of the outcome,it promises to be a fascinating encounter – I totally agree.
England are favourites to lift this trophy. They are deftly engineered as a unit and technically endowed as individual players. In Sarena Wiegman, you have the Pep Guardiola of women’s football.
I can only be cautiously optimistic of a favourable outcome for Nigeria.
We are a solid outfit without the ball. We actually carve out compelling goal scoring efforts but just lack consistency in finishing.
If Onumonu, Oshoala, Kanu, Ajibade bring their shooting boots to the party, then there will be fire works.
I am not overly worried about our defence apart from occasional loss of concentration and tendency for their shape not to be adequately synchronized. But we get so much support from defensive midfield and from that wingers that our back 4 cannot complain of not having extra support.
I can’t wait for this encounter.
Have you seen Randy Waldrum, that man is not the bit concerned. He believes he has enough in his technical locker to unlock and unleash the potentials inherent in his girls.
Whilst acknowledging the strength in-depth in England, he stressed the importance of having a game plan and sticking to it to get result.
Waldrum v Wiegman: battle of the witts.
You’re right deo. Weigman’s confidence is intimidating. Overconfident with a reason. But, as you said too, Waldrum might just turn out underrated tactician who had been playing at the collegiate level and got announced to the world coaching Nigeria.
I was watching Ohale’s interview and was surprised to hear that the move that led to her goal was not happenstance. They were specifically practiced in training, so when she saw the second ball headed in by Ajibaded, she positioned herself for the third header as practiced in training. She said she saw the incoming tackle, so decided against a flying header as practiced for the third header.
Meanwhile, we beat this same England when we met at this level less than a decade ago, with Oshola and Ebi on the team as well. When did the tide change?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Prp3aaPZe0
Group A was indeed the weakest group in this tournament. See how the yes that qualified from the group all crumbled like pack of cards in the R16
Group A was indeed the weakest group in this tournament. See how the teams that qualified from the group all crumbled like pack of cards in the R16
The Japanese play the same pattern as the SuperFalcons. There just better at ball possession, counter attacks and finishing. They can cede possession to the opponent, but very organized defensively and swift on the counter with devastating finishes. They’re a real contender for the title.
Japan have won the U20 and the U17 WorldCups over the last 5 years if I’m not mistaken. The core of that generation is in their team now. A powerhouse as they’re one of the winners of this tournament. Norway had no answer for them in the second half. If we can improve on our ball possession and be more clinical on the counter we can beat anybody at this level.
Our players are now understanding the need to be more organized as a team. Though it depends on the coach in most cases. However, since the last WorldCup we’ve been more organized only need to be clinical in crucial moments and not allowing the opponent to dictate the game. I believe we will up to the task against the Lionesses. It’s anybody’s game. VAMOS ARRIBBA SUPERFALCONS!!!
No, we do not play the same style as Japan, Japan comes after you in droves, unrelenting, and solid at the back. We rely on soaking in pressure and waiting for counters especially in the first 20 minutes we take too much pressure if we do not cave in then we might have a chance. We give too much room for our opponents to make passes without pressure. If we employ a business approach to the game instead of a stroll in the park, we might just have to a chance to upset England.
Going by what you wrote, it means we still need to strengthen our team but would NFF agree? Waldrum said recently that more US born Nigerians are willing to play for the national team even at under 17 and under 20 level. Excerpts from punch news read:
“Waldrum was appointed as Super Falcons head coach in 2020 and the arrival of the Irving, Texas-born tactician has paved way for the arrival of several US-born Nigerian stars.
Michelle Alozie, Esther Okoronkwo, Ifeoma Onumonu, Yewande Balogun, Toni Payne, Jennifer Echegini and Nicole Payne are all US-born players who all made their debuts for Nigeria following the appointment of Waldrum.”
Do you think forever “cash strapped” NFF will let him undertake this venture?