August 05, (THEWILL) – Japan’s Women’s World Cup journey took a decisive turn on Saturday, as Hinata Miyazawa scored her fifth goal to seal a 3-1 victory over Norway in the last-16 clash.
The 23-year-old’s remarkable performance not only booked Japan’s place in the quarterfinals but also crowned her as the tournament’s top scorer. In a tightly contested match in Wellington, an early own-goal by Ingrid Syrstad Engen gave Japan the lead, which Norway quickly equalised with a brilliant header from Guro Reiten. However, Japan’s relentless pressure proved too much for the Norwegian defence, leading to goals from defender Risa Shimizu and Miyazawa to seal their triumphant win.
Japan’s path to the quarterfinals had been nothing short of impressive, with three flawless wins in the group stages and a total of 11 goals scored without conceding any from their opponents. On the other hand, Norway recovered from an early setback against co-hosts New Zealand and managed to secure their spot in the last 16 with a draw against Switzerland and a commanding 6-0 victory over the Philippines.
The absence of their star player, 2018 Ballon d’Or winner Ada Hegerberg, was felt, but Norway’s determination and fighting spirit were evident throughout the match. Nevertheless, Japan’s controlled possession and early offensive dominance gave them the edge they needed to secure their place in the quarter-finals, where they will face either Sweden or the reigning champions, the United States.
Japan’s cohesive team effort and unwavering determination which ultimately led them to victory is something their next opponents will need to pay attention to going forward. As they progress to the quarter-finals, the potential for the Japanese ladies to go all the way in the tournament is becoming increasingly evident.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
