To use this site, please disable the ad blocking feature and reload the page.
This website uses cookies to collect information about your visit for purposes such as showing you personalized ads and content, and analyzing our website traffic. By clicking “Accept all,” you will allow the use of these cookies.
Users accessing this site from EEA countries and UK are unable to view this site without your consent. We apologize for any inconvenience caused.
REUTERS Soccer Football – FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023 – Group C – Japan v Spain – Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington, New Zealand – July 31, 2023 Japan’s Hinata Miyazawa celebrates scoring their first goal with teammates.
The Japan News
16:33 JST, July 31, 2023
Nadeshiko Japan continued their perfect run at the Women’s World Cup with a 4-0 victory over No. 6-ranked Spain on Monday in Wellington, New Zealand.
By topping Group C, Japan’s national team will play 1995 Cup-winner Norway in the round of 16 in the knockout stage on Saturday in the same Wellington Regional Stadium. Spain faces Switzerland in Eden Park in Auckland, New Zealand, the same day.
Against Spain, 2011 champions Nadeshiko were quick to the ball, intercepting passes to launch counterattacks. Hinata Miyazawa opened the scoring in the 12th minute off a pass by Jun Endo, before Riko Ueki scored the second for Japan in the 29th minute. Miyazawa doubled her tally on 40 minutes as No. 11-ranked Japan led 3-0 at halftime.
There was no chance at a hat trick for Miyazawa as she was substituted to start the second half by Aoba Fujino.
Spain continued to attack to get back into the match. Nadeshiko held firm and put the game away for good in the 82nd minute. Mina Tanaka, who came on as a substitute for Ueki, showed off her individual skills to dribble past the defense and score.
Japan started its group matches with a 5-0 win over Zambia, followed by a 2-0 win over Costa Rica.
In the other Group C match Monday between eliminated teams, Zambia defeated Costa Rica 3-1 in Hamilton, New Zealand, for its first ever World Cup win in its debut tournament.
This year’s tournament is being jointly hosted by Australia and New Zealand.
REUTERS/Amanda Perobelli Soccer Football – FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023 – Group C – Japan v Spain – Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington, New Zealand – July 31, 2023 Japan’s Hinata Miyazawa scores their first goal REUTERS/Amanda Perobelli Soccer Football – FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023 – Group C – Japan v Spain – Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington, New Zealand – July 31, 2023 Japan’s Riko Ueki celebrates scoring their second goal REUTERS/Amanda Perobelli Soccer Football – FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023 – Group C – Japan v Spain – Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington, New Zealand – July 31, 2023 Japan’s Hinata Miyazawa scores their third goalREUTERS/Amanda Perobelli Soccer Football – FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023 – Group C – Japan v Spain – Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington, New Zealand – July 31, 2023 Japan’s Hinata Miyazawa celebrates scoring their third goal with Risa Shimizu and Honoka HayashiREUTERS/Amanda Perobelli Soccer Football – FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023 – Group C – Japan v Spain – Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington, New Zealand – July 31, 2023 Japan’s Mina Tanaka celebrates scoring their fourth goalREUTERS/Amanda Perobelli Soccer Football – FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023 – Group C – Japan v Spain – Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington, New Zealand – July 31, 2023 Japan’s Mina Tanaka celebrates scoring their fourth goal with teammates
