Japan took a major step towards claiming their second Women’s World Cup title as they beat Norway to reach the quarter-finals.
The 2011 champions showed their talent from the start, with Norwegian defender Ingrid Engen mistakenly turning Hinata Miyazawa’s cross into her own net, giving Japan the ideal start.
However, Norway quickly hit back, as Gaurav Rattin’s well-timed header found the back of the net to level the scores momentarily. Undaunted, Japan regained the lead when Risa Shimizu’s deflected strike caught the opposition off guard.
Hinata Miyazawa then showed her pace and skill to break through the defense to score Japan’s third goal to seal their progress to the quarter-finals. Miyazawa’s performances have also put him in contention for the Golden Boot, topping the scoring charts with five goals in the tournament held in Australia and New Zealand.
After the match, Miyazawa attributed his success to a collective team effort and expressed his desire to score more goals. Japan goalkeeper Ayaka Yamashita was instrumental in the victory, making a superb save to deny Karina Seok’s powerful header to preserve Japan’s lead.
With their impressive form, Japan have been a formidable force throughout the Women’s World Cup, displaying smart football and solid defence. The team navigated the group stage with ease, picking up victories without conceding a single point, including a 4-0 victory over Spain, a fellow quarter-finalist.
His counter-attacking prowess was evident in the Spain match, where despite only having 23 percent possession, he showed his ability to take advantage of opportunities and secure victories against tough opposition. Japan’s defense held firm throughout the tournament, conceding just one goal.
Norway, on the other hand, have struggled to find their form in the 2023 Women’s World Cup and despite reaching the quarter-finals in the last tournament, they face challenges this time around. An injury to star forward Ida Hegerberg hampered her campaign, limiting her playing time on the field. Even when Hegerberg entered the game as a substitute, she could not change the result against Japan’s relentless attacking force.
Japan’s victory demonstrated their dominance and strategy, leaving Norway to acknowledge their solid defensive moments while acknowledging the challenge of facing such a strong opponent.
