Women’s World Cup: Preview: Japan vs. Norway
A place in the quarter-finals will be at stake when Japan Women face Norway Women in the last 16 of the Women’s World Cup 2023 on Saturday.
Japan cruised through the group stage without dropping a point, while Norway required a win over the Philippines in their final group game to secure a place in the knockout rounds.
Japan have proven to be one of the standout teams of the Women’s World Cup after progressing through the group stages with a 100% record.
The 2011 World Cup winners began their campaign with a commanding 5-0 win over Zambia, before beating Costa Rica 2-0 in their second group match to book their place in the last 16 with a game to spare.
They quickly turned their attention to Monday’s meeting with Spain, where they produced a disciplined and clinical counter-attacking display to claim a statement 4-0 victory.
Despite having just 23% possession in the contest, Japan took a three-goal lead into the break thanks to a Hinata Miyazawa brace and a Riko Ueki strike, before a second-half effort from Mina Tanaka wrapped up a comfortable victory.
Impressively, Futoshi Ikeda’s side have scored more goals than any other team in the group stage, while they are still one of three countries yet to concede at the tournament, ensuring that they head into Saturday’s encounter with significant momentum.
In contrast to their opponents, the group stage was far from straightforward for a Norway side that began the competition with a 1-0 defeat to the tournament co-hosts New Zealand.
A frustrating goalless draw with Switzerland followed, leaving Norway requiring a win from their final game against the Philippines to advance to the last 16.
Hege Riise’s side showed no signs of nerves, as they cruised to a dominant 6-0 victory thanks to a Sophia Roman Haug hat-trick, a Caroline Graham Hansen, an Alicia Baker own goal and a Guro Reiten penalty.
After ending a six-game winless run with just their second win of 2023, Norway are preparing to make their eighth appearance in the knockout rounds of the Women’s World Cup.
They are hoping to reach the quarter-finals in consecutive Women’s World Cups after beating Australia on penalties to advance to the last eight in France four years ago.
Japan Women Women’s World Cup form:
WWW
Norway Women Women’s World Cup form:
LDW
Team News
After being brought into the Japan side for the win over Spain, Hana Takahashi is set to retain her place in the backline alongside Saki Kumagai and Moeka Minami.
Yui Hasegawa and Tanaka dropped down to the bench for Monday’s victory, but they are both expected to be recalled for the last-16 tie.
Miyazawa is the joint-highest scorer at the tournament, and she will be looking to add to her three-goal tally when she features in the forward line on Saturday.
As for Norway, Maren Mjelde will resume her central defensive partnership with Mathilde Harviken, and they will be hoping to help their country keep a third consecutive sheet.
Manchester United’s Vilde Boe Risa will continue to operate in a midfield three alongside Frida Maanum and Reiten.
After marking her first start of the tournament with a hat-trick, Roman Haug will retain her place in the forward line.
Japan Women possible starting lineup:
Yamashita; Takahashi, Kumagai, Minami; Shimizu, Hayashi, Hasegawa, Endo; Miyazawa, Naomoto, Tanaka
Norway Women possible starting lineup:
Mikalsen; Bjelde, Mjelde, Harviken, Hansen; Maanum, Boe Risa, Reiten; Hansen, Haavi, Haug
Prediction
Japan Women 2-0 Norway Women
