Japan is in the semifinals of the World Cup for the second straight time.
By Ivan Yeo
Just six days removed from knocking out one of the powers in women’s soccer Brazil, 10th ranked Australia set their sights on another world power, fourth ranked Japan in the quarterfinals of the Women’s World Cup.
Unfortunately for the Matildas, trying to upset the defending World Cup champions proved to be too much of a task for the upstart Aussies. Mana Iwabuchi’s goal late in the second half saw Japan through to the semifinals courtesy of a 1-0 win over Australia.
The win means no travel for the Japanese, as they simply return to their hotel, practice and await England, who eliminated the host nation Canada in Vancouver later in the day. This will be the third straight time England and Japan will meet in the World Cup.
After 86 scoreless minutes where both teams were battling both the intense hot weather as well as each other, Japan finally broke through in the 87th minute. Japan sent a corner kick into the penalty area, Rumi Utsugi attempted a one-timer and while she didn;t get enough of the ball, it fell to Asuza Iwashimizu inside the six-yard box. Iwashimizu shot twice, both her shots were blocked, but the ball on the second shot fell to Iwabuchi, who tapped in an open-net shot for the goal.
Despite the scoreless minutes, both teams did have their chances to put the ball in teh back net. Japan had the first chance in the 33rd minute, as Shinobu Ohno led a break on goal, played a ball back to a trailing Aya Miyama, who let loose a howler right on target, but keeper Lydie Williams parried the ball over the crossbar. Australia had its chance in the 54th minute when they capitalized on a turnover, Emily Van Egmond played a ball to Samantha Kerr, and she took a shot just outside of the penalty area, but she didn’t get enough on the shot, and Ayumi Kaihori made the easy save.
Five mintues after that chance by the Australians, the Japanese turned to a little trickery to create their next chance. Nahomi Kawasumi had the ball inside the box and she back-heeled a ball to Yuko Ogimi. Ogimi played a short-crossed into the six and Miyama tried a back-heel herself to try and get the goal, but it missed the near post.
