Japan Exits The Women’s World Cup But Sees Progress In Young Squad

New Zealand’s AUCKLAND — Japan rebuilt after being booted out of the Olympics early on home turf two years prior by focusing on youth and recruiting a new coach.

The outcome? At the Women’s World Cup, Japan scored a tonne of goals.

The Nadeshiko scored 15 goals, the most of any side in the tournament, under the direction of coach Futoshi Ikeda. Hinata Miyazawa, a surprising young midfielder, tied the record set 2011 by Japanese veteran Homare Sawa by scoring five goals to lead the team.

However, it wasn’t enough to stop Sweden, who defeated Japan 2-1 in the tournament’s quarterfinal encounter on Friday night. Midfielder Jun Endo sobbed on the pitch for a considerable time as Sweden’s players celebrated after the final whistle.

Sweden’s Kosovare Asllani commented, “We knew we were going to play a very skilled and technical team.” We wanted them to have little time there because they perform best when constantly on the ball.

Sweden led 2-0 after two goals from Filippa Angeldal and Amanda Ilestedt in the first and second halves, respectively. After Honoka Hayashi’s goal in the 86th minute, Japan could not score.

Japan rebuilt after being booted out of the Olympics early on home turf two years prior by focusing on youth and recruiting a new coach.

Forward Mina Tanaka remarked, “There was a lot of time spent on defence and it was hard to find our own pace, and we weren’t able to have a good offence.”

Ikeda remarked that the group should be pleased with their achievements. The Japanese won all of their group games without giving up a goal. In the round of 16, they defeated Norway 3-1.

After all, the team from Japan had a young average age of just 24.9 years.

“I knew I was taking them to the World Cup since I became coach, and I, along with the players, have worked hard to this point,” he said. The players are now acting as a cohesive team and moving in the same direction. Each player can develop in the ecosystem we’ve designed.

In 2011, Japan defeated Sweden 3-1 in the semifinals before defeating the United States on penalties to win the World Cup. Because of the horrific earthquake and tsunami that hit Japan earlier that year, it was an emotional victory.

In 2015, Japan likewise advanced to the World Cup final but lost to the United States 5-2.

Japan selected Asako Takakura as coach before the 2019 World Cup, becoming the first woman to lead the team. However, the Nadeshiko lost to the Netherlands in the quarterfinals.

Japan rebuilt after being booted out of the Olympics early on home turf two years prior by focusing on youth and recruiting a new coach.

Takakura was replaced by Ikeda, who led Japan to the 2018 Under-20 Women’s World Cup victory following Sweden’s 3-1 loss in the Tokyo Games. He supported the growth of several team members, notably Miyazawa.

The Nadeshiko will now focus on qualifying for the Paris Olympics next summer, according to Endo, a Nadeshiko player who currently represents Angel City of the National Women’s Soccer League in the United States.

We must raise the quality even. Further, she remarked.

Ikeda stated that the young players would gain insight from the defeat.

“They are feeling how challenging the world games are. They can participate in these games. Ikeda says they must apply this expertise to the Olympics and other preliminary competitions. “We want these younger players to strengthen the Nadeshiko team.”

SOURCE – (AP)