
MARGAO: Japan maintained an all-win record in Group D of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup with a 2-0 win over France at the PJN Stadium, Fatorda, on Tuesday.
The scoreline also maintained Japan’s clean slate with a 10-0 record, but the outcome condemned France to the bottom of the table with a solitary point and a premature exit from the tournament.
Japan’s adversaries in the quarterfinals will be Spain who beat China 1-0 in Group C. Japan’s group rivals Tanzania who drew 1-1 with Canada in Navi Mumbai will take on Colombia, both matchups scheduled here on Saturday.
Germany play Brazil and the USA take on Nigeria in the other quarterfinals to be held on Friday in Navi Mumbai.
Momoko Tanikawa (29’) and substitute Sayami Kusunoki (90’+1’) scored for Japan who maintained speed and aggression right through the encounter.
France, needing a win to stay in contention, never really looked the part and were clearly fortunate to trail only by the lone goal at the interval in the wake of relentless pressure and near misses by the marauding Japanese forwards.
The chances fell thick and fast after Ai Tsujisawa rocked the upright in the ninth minute, but Japan only shot ahead when Tanikawa produced a goal out of nothing from 20 yards out, her grounder giving Feerine Belhadj in goal no chance.
France had fleeting moments in front of the Japanese goal but Lucie Calba was denied by Uruha Iwasaki with a timely block as half-time approached.
Belhadj was kept busy by the bustling Asians, doing well to deny Moka Hiwatari but the French custodian was beaten in 79th minute only to be rescued by the upright, much to Mao Itamaru’s chagrin.
Miharu Shinjo, picked up her second straight player of the match award, her influence in the midfield doing much for Japan’s ascendancy.
Japan, already assured of top spot in the group, still sniffed a goal but Belhadj, ever so busy in the campaign, tipped Hiwatari’s essay over the bar to keep France still in it.
Japan, however, buried France’s hopes in the first minute of time added on when Kusonoki’s header crashed into the net from Hitomi Shibata’s corner.