Despite losing, Japan proceeds to top 16 knockout stage. (Image via: The Comeback)

Losing 2-0 to England, Japan Proceeds to Top 16

Alfonsus Adi Putra
Sports & Culture
Soccer
Jun 20, 2019
1911
NICE - On the last matchday of Group D in FIFA Women’s World Cup France, Japanese women team had to concede 2-0 loss against the English at Allianz Riviera stadium, Nice, Thursday (20/6).

Currently, Nadeshiko Japan sit on 7th position in world’s ranking, while English sit on 3rd. However, despite the loss, Japan and England both proceed to the top 16 knockout stage.

At the first half, England displayed a dominant football to press Japan. Japan also displayed certain challenges to their defensive line. At the 4th minute, the teamwork effort from Kumi Yokoyama and friends almost had it pass through Karen Bardsley. Nonetheless, the ball flew just too wide.

At the 8th minute, Yokoyama once more almost got the chance to give the first goal to Japan from an accurate, on target shot. Nonetheless, Bardsley noticed the ball course, and knocked it off the harm’s way.

The Lionesses’ pressure bore its first fruit at the 14th minute, when Ellen White received a through ball from Georgia Stanway, seeing her onside, and ran passing Japanese defenders and hit wide to the bottom corner of the net, away from Ayaka Yamashita’s reach. 1-0 for England.

For the next 31 minutes, Nadeshiko was bombarded by series of attacks and opportunities from the Lionesses. However, none of the shots could be converted to goal, thanks to Yamashita’s agility.

The score stayed on until the end of the 1st half.

At the second half, 58th minute, Toni Duggan almost converted a chance by a volley to pass Yamashita. Nonetheless, Yamashita’s defense was just too thick for Duggan, and the volley was denied from entering the net.

Substituting Kumi Yokoyama at the 61st minute, the highlight went to Yuika Sugasawa, who got chances on 72nd, 77th, and 82nd minutes to turn the table back to Japanese’s favor. However, just determination is not enough to hit it to the net, as the ball either came to Bardsley’s gloves or widened off the post.

England finally ended Japan’s misery by topping it off with a brace from Ellen White, who scored a narrow goal at the 84th minute to the right bottom corner of the net. Until the whistle blew, the score ended 2-0 for The Lionesses.

Japanese Manager, Asako Takakura, stated that she got it all in her hand now to win the World Cup, on one condition: her women must execute it all according to her. She praised her women for their determination and hard work against the 3rd and the favorite team to win the World Cup. England won in all the group matches against their adversaries.

For the top 16, Nadeshiko and Lionesses will have to face either Canada or Netherlands whose match is held today at Stade Auguste-Delaune in Reims.

Source: https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2019/06/56049ebfb3a2-soccer-nadeshiko-japan-lose-0-2-against-england.html

Soccer , Sports , FIFA , Women , England , Japan , 2019