There were two red and white flags flying over the Al-Hassan International Stadium but it was the cross of St George to be retired early, as Japan picked apart an undefeated England from beginning to end, booking their place in the semi-finals with an empathic 3-0 victory.
Japan made their intentions clear when they opened the scoring just three minutes in, escaping on the break which resulted in Jun Endo clattering the ball past Ellie Roebuck, who was unable to keep ahold of the powerful strike.
Endo and Riko Ueki were on the prowl embedding themselves among the backline, but England called upon their physical advantage to keep out advances from the pair. Though The Young Lionesses tried to set an attacking tone for the game, the clever passing dictated by Japanese captain Fuka Nagano left little room for England to move forward.
The Little Nadeshiko’s back four held out England’s attacking trio with expert composure, denying them the only three attempts they could muster in the first half.
Captain Lotte Wubben Moy showed her defensive maturity from the third minute through to additional time as she handled the incessant threat, however the lead was doubled when concentration momentarily lapsed and the second member of striking partnership, Ueki, took her chance well.
Japan returned to the second half with a glow from the late minute goal but they were mere centimeters from a truly clinical display when Hinata Miywzawa’s strike was saved by the crossbar.
Alessia Russo moved into the centre of the pitch as Hannah Cain was brought on to take over the flanks, it proved effective almost immediately as she made the first break through Japan’s defense, but her effort was stopped superbly by keeper Momoko Tanaka.
The momentum was picking up in favour of the Young Lionesses but yielded no dividends. Their urgency to the ball pushed Japan back but allowed them to hit John Griffith’s side on the counter. They proceeded to do so as Ueki made a solo break that resulted in a curling goal from outside the box, taking Japan’s goalscoring record to 16 in just four games.
The Little Nadeshiko found their stride again as they passed their way into the semi-finals with their third clean sheet of the tournament. They will now face Spain next Monday in Amman.
Words by Katie Mishner covering the FIFA Women’s U17 World Cup for AIPS Media.
Image: Steve Bardens-FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images
