Japan’s defender #02 Risa Shimizu (C) along with her teammates after scoring her group’s second purpose through the Australia and New Zealand 2023 Women’s World Cup spherical of 16 soccer match between Japan and Norway at Wellington Regional Stadium in Wellington on August 5, 2023.| Photo Credit: AFP
Japan’s shock title cost on the Women’s World Cup gathered tempo with a scientific 3-1 win over Norway to achieve the final eight whereas Spain thrashed Switzerland 5-1 on Saturday.
The 2011 champions Japan will face both holders the United States or Sweden within the quarter-finals and on this proof they may take some stopping.
They have gained all 4 video games in Australia and New Zealand -- together with a 4-0 thumping of Spain -- scoring 14 occasions and conceding solely as soon as.
Hinata Miyazawa can be shortly turning into one of many breakout stars of a World Cup which has been stuffed with shocks.
The 23-year-old received the third 9 minutes from time to seal Norway’s destiny in entrance of 33,000 in Wellington.
She is now the event’s high scorer.
The groups went to the break stage at 1-1, however Japan turned the screw on Norway within the second interval by way of targets by Risa Shimizu and Miyazawa.
Norway threw every part at Japan late on however goalkeeper Ayaka Yamashita stood agency and in harm time pulled off a panoramic save from a close-range header, one way or the other clawing the ball again off the road.
Ominously for the remainder of the groups, coach Futoshi Ikeda stated Japan have gotten tougher to beat because the event progresses.
“The team is very positive, kept up the pace and I think we have become tougher than before,” he added.
Spain crushed Switzerland to achieve the quarter-finals for the primary time of their historical past and can face the Netherlands or South Africa subsequent.
Aitana Bonmati performed a starring position with a brace and two assists in entrance of 43,217 followers at Eden Park in Auckland, a file crowd for a soccer match in New Zealand.
Coach Jorge Vilda, who made 5 modifications to his beginning line-up together with dropping reigning Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas, stated he had “the 23 best players in the world”.
“Aitana played very well today, she scored goals and was player of the match, but the rest of the team played very well too. We have 23 Ballons d’Or,” he stated.
Barcelona’s Bonmati stated the humbling by Japan within the group stage had been on their minds.
“When you lose like we did the other day it is a really big blow but to win 5-1 in a World Cup knockout tie, be through to the quarter-finals and make history, that shows we are a team,” stated the midfielder.
“It was not easy after the other day but today we saw the character of the players and I hope we have a lot of days left here.”
Spain have been merely a category above a Swiss facet who had reached the final 16 with out conceding a purpose however whose exit means they've nonetheless by no means gained a serious event knockout recreation.
The United States, who've underwhelmed to this point of their pursuit of an unprecedented third World Cup crown in a row, play Sweden on Sunday in Melbourne.
It pits the 2 top-ranked sides left within the event after world quantity two Germany’s shock early exit.
The top-ranked US gained their final World Cup encounter 2-0 in 2019 on their solution to the title, however world quantity three Sweden have been 3-0 winners after they final met on the Tokyo Olympics.
United States coach Vlatko Andonovski admitted the underfire title-holders have been fortunate to nonetheless be within the event after some insipid shows.
They stumbled out of their group in second place with one win -- in opposition to Vietnam -- and nervy attracts with the Netherlands and Portugal.
“The fact we are in, we are lucky, but we are moving on,” stated Andonovski.
In Sunday’s different last-16 encounter, the 2019 runners-up the Netherlands should keep away from turning into the newest high group to exit by the hands of a lower-ranked opponent.
South Africa, 54th on this planet, beat Italy 3-2 to seize a spot within the knockouts and defeating the Dutch can be one other main upset.
“Look, we’ve been underestimated so many times before,” South Africa’s coach Desiree Ellis stated on the eve of the sport.
“I think this group has shown that nothing can stand in their way.
“This group has shown that when the chips are down, they can stand up.”
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