Japan’s fans were certainly in a celebratory mood after Tuesday night’s win over the Netherlands.
By Ivan Yeo
Japan continues to show why they are one of the best in women’s soccer.
Japan was well in control its Round of 16 match against the up and coming Netherlands on Tuesday night in Vancouver’s BC Place Stadium. Japan got goals from Saori Ariyoshi in the first half and Mizuho Sakaguchi in the second half, and while the Dutch made things interesting in the final minutes, Japan still ensured themselves a trip to the quarterfinals with a 2-1 win over the Netherlands.
Japan got on the board in the 10th minute. Aya Miyama crossed a ball into the penalty area, Yuki Ogimi headed a ball on target, but it bounced off the crossbar and back into play. The Netherlands’ Stefanie Van Der Gragt tried to blear the ball out of the box, but didn’t get enough of the ball on her clearance attempt, the ball stayed in the box and Ariyoshi charged in and fired a ball past Dutch keeper Loes Geurts tot he back post to stake Japan to the lead.
Japan had several chances to add to the lead throughout the match, but the second goal didn’t come for the Nadeshiko until the 76th minute. Miyama played a short cross inside the penalty area for Mana Iwabuchi, but she dummied the ball, which left Sakaguchi with a shot on goal and she came through, striking the ball past Geurts into the back net for the two-goal cushion.
Sakaguchi’s goal turned out to be a much-need one for the Japanese. The Dutch were gifted a goal deep in stoppage time, as Maron Melis played a ball into the penalty area, Kristen van de Ven headed a ball towards goal, goalkeeper Ayumi Kaihori stepped in front of the ball, but amazingly, the ball glanced off her and across the goal line and Japan’s lead was cut to one.
Energized by the goal, The Netherlands made one last charge to keep their tournament hopes alive. Melis played a ball into the penalty area to Vivianne Miedema, but Azusa Iwashimizu threw herself in front of the shot, Miedema didn’t get enough of the ball on her one-timer attempt and Kaihori quickly scooped up the ball and Japan was home free.
