December 22, 2024
Japan impressed again as they saw off Ghana to a 4-1 victory, to qualify for the round of 16 of the 2024 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup.
The Japanese made it two wins in two games at the tournament, after defeating New Zealand and Ghana.
The Young Nadeshiko outclassed the physical Ghanaians with much pressure and outstanding passes. Late first-half goals from Chinari Sasai, Manaka Matsukubo and two second-half’s from Miku Hayama, Miyu Matsunaga, secured the win.
With four minutes into the game, Japan almost took the lead. Shinomi Koyama played a long through ball to Manaka Matsukubo, whose shot missed the target. They consistently kept pressure on Ghana with intricate passing and build-up play.
Japan came close again to making the breakthrough after Ghana’s goalkeeper Afi Amenyeku parried Matsukubo’s shot and Chinari Sasai pounced on the rebound, but was flagged offside.
The Young Nadeshiko kept asking all the question and finally went ahead on 45 minutes. Amenyeku saved the initial shot from Hayama but Sasai pounced on the rebound, this time without been flagged for offside.
Matsukubo then doubled their advantage with a finished from a sharp angle as the ball slipped through Amenyeku’s grasp. Japan went to the break with a 2-0 lead.
In the second half, Japan picked up where they left off; Koyama providing an assist for Hayama to score the third.
However, Stella Nyamekye pulled one back for Ghana from the penalty spot in the 833rd minute after Raika Okamura brought her down in the box. Miyu Matsunaga then added a late goal for Japan to make it 4-1.
Both teams play their final group stage matches on Sunday. Japan will face Austria in Bogota while Ghana meets New Zealand in Cali.
Austria have qualified for the round of 16 at their first appearance at the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup.
The European team made history following a 3-1 victory over Oceania champions, New Zealand.
Austria won Ghana 2-1 in the opener before defeating New Zealand, to achieve the feat with a game on hand.
A brace from Sarah Guttman and another from Valentina Maedl secured the win before Milly Clegg struck a consolidation goal for the Oceanians.
Austria impressed right from the start as Tatjana Weiss narrowly missed the target, with just over a minute played. It took them just ten minutes to take the lead, when Gutmann nodded home a free kick from Nicole Ojukwu.
The European side doubled the advantage with Ojukwu and Gutmann combining again. Laura Spinn redirected Ojukwu’s free kick, which saw Gutmann capitalise to make it two.
New Zealand had theor chance to pull one back from the penalty spot but failed. Austrian keeper, Mariella El Sherif, took down Emma Pijnenburg and the former redeemed herself to deny Pijnenburg.
Austria then further extended their lead as Greta Spinn assisted Maedl, who showed pace to finish in the 67th minute. Milly Clegg’s 90th minute goal for the Oceanians came too late, leaving their hopes of progression hanging by a thread.
They need a win against Ghana in Cali on Sunday and possibly other results to fall their way while Austria round things out against already qualified Japan in Bogota.
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