Japan thrash Spain 4-0 in Women’s World Cup warning

Japan’s players celebrate at the end of the the Women’s World Cup Group C soccer match against Spain in Wellington, New Zealand, on July 31, 2023.
| Photo Credit: AP

Hinata Miyazawa scored twice and set up another as Japan stunned Spain 4-0 at the Women’s World Cup on Monday to set up a clash with Norway in the knockout stage.

The Japanese delivered a lesson in clinical counter-attacking and led 3-0 at half-time to issue a World Cup warning against one of the title favourites.

The 2011 champions Japan topped the group to play another former winner in Norway while Spain will face Switzerland in the last 16.

Miyazawa’s brace took her to four goals for the tournament while Riko Ueki and Mina Tanaka bagged the others for a hugely impressive Japan.

Boasting a host of European club stars, Spain dominated possession in front of a crowd of 20,957 in Wellington.

But they didn’t create a single clear chance as Japan soaked up pressure and broke with pace, with lethal effect.

It was a tactical masterclass from Japan coach Futoshi Ikeda, whose team denied space and time to Barcelona stars Alexia Putellas and Aitana Bonmati.

“The Spanish team, with that kind of offence, we decided to respond with a compact defence,” Ikeda said.

“Once we recovered the ball, we tried to attack to the maximum at speed.”

Japan’s three first-half attempts resulted in three blistering goals as their speedy front line took advantage of a disorganised Spanish defence missing injured captain Ivana Andres.

It was Japan’s first win in five attempts over Spain.

Their 11 goals is the most by any team at the tournament while they’re one of four sides yet to concede a goal.

Miyazawa is also the tournament’s leading scorer, although she was denied a chance to add to her four goals when replaced at halftime.

A beaming Miyazawa said leading the race for the golden boot was a surprise and a “great pleasure”.

“I never imagined it. All of the goals are because of the other players giving me the right passes. So it’s everybody’s goal, not just me,” she said.

With both teams having already qualified after coasting past pool opponents Zambia and Costa Rica, sixth-ranked Spain were considered the favourites to top the group.

Only needing a draw to do so, the Europeans controlled the ball for long periods but they had few answers when their opponents broke with speed.

Spain coach Jorge Vilda conceded he’d been out-thought tactically.

“As the head coach I’m responsible for this defeat,” he said.

“Yes I was surprised, they were exerting a lot of pressure.

“We had to break this low block that they had but we were not able to get past their lines to attack… and little by little they started scoring goals.

“We have not seen the best Spanish team yet and I’m convinced that against Switzerland the team will react positively.”

The opener came in the 12th minute when Miyazawa outpaced the defence to reach Jun Endo’s curling pass from halfway before slotting low past Misa Rodriguez.

Miyazawa turned provider in the 29th minute, driving forward before finding Ueki, whose shot took a giant deflection and snuck inside the top corner.

Another lightning quick counter gave Miyazawa space and the striker blasted powerfully past Rodriguez five minutes before the interval.

Substitute Tanaka’s sensational 82nd minute goal came after a sizzling solo run from the touchline that turned the defence inside out.

Ikeda has quality at his disposal, having made five changes to his side who beat Costa Rica, including the selection of forwards Miyazawa and Ueki over in-form Tanaka and Aoba Fujino.dgi/pst