Hikaru Naomoto and Aoba Fujino scored the goals in a 2-0 victory, although the Nadeshiko could have won by a far greater margin.
-
Two goals in quick succession undid Costa Rica in Dunedin
-
Japan were on top throughout this one-sided Group C clash
-
Last-16 spot will be confirmed by Spain avoiding defeat against Zambia
Japan 2-0 Costa Rica | Group C
Goalscorers: Hikaru Naomoto (25′), Aoba Fujino (27′) Japan have continued their impressive start to the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023â„¢ with a dominant win over Costa Rica in Dunedin.
Goals from Hikaru Naomoto and Aoba Fujino made the difference in a match in which the Nadeshiko showed the same speed and slick passing that had illuminated their opening-match dismantling of Zambia.
Both goals arrived in the space of a couple of first-half minutes, although the warning signs had been there from the opening exchanges.
Japan should have gone in front after 15 minutes, in fact, but Fujino sliced wide in stretching to convert a blocked Noamoto shot – failing to spot that Risa Shimizu was ready to tap into the unguarded net.
Noamoto continued to prove elusive on the left flank though, and 10 minutes later she fired the Asian hopefuls into a deserved lead. Played into the angle of the box in a near-identical position to her previous effort, she went for the same approach of striking low and hard. This time, the power and precision in her effort proved too much for Daniela Solera.
A remarkable second followed soon after, with Fujino making ample amends for her earlier error. The attacker showed terrific skill and agility to twist away from her marker on the right touchline, burst inside past another challenge and, from a seemingly impossible angle, blasted a right-foot shot between Solera and her near post.
Costa Rica would have feared another thrashing at this stage but, despite remaining camped in their half, the pace of Japan’s attacks relented somewhat in a forgettable second period. The Nadeshiko will now wait to see whether their place in the last 16 is rubber-stamped by Spain avoiding a seemingly unlikely defeat against Zambia in Group C’s later kick-off.
Key stat
Aoba Fujino, 19 years and 180 days old, became the first first teenager to score for Japan at the Women’s World Cup.
VISA Player of the Match
Hikaru Naomoto (Japan)
Quotes
“Although we won our first match, we knew this one would be difficult. Costa Rica are a team that use various ways of playing, but we had prepared ways to handle this. As in in the first match, our defence was well focused. I think the whole team was able to see ways to start attacks after we recovered possession. It’s our strong point that we can play in our Nadeshiko way, regardless of which players are on the pitch.” Futoshi Ikeda, Japan coach
“I knew I would have opportunities to score when Aoba [Fujino] or Mina [Tanaka] had the ball. I missed the first one but it was good I was able to score the second. I was happy because I wanted to contribute to the team’s victory. We defended well and everyone worked hard with good discipline to win the ball back and start attacks.” Hikaru Naomoto, Japan midfielder
fifa,com
