Japan produced a stunning performance to knock Norway out of the 2023 World Cup on Saturday thanks to an emphatic 3-1 win. Japan took the lead in the first half before Norway pegged them back but two more goals in the second half saw Japan take the win.
They are now through to the quarter finals stage of the Women’s World Cup and they will face off against either Sweden or the USA.
Risa Shimizu’s winner booked Japan’s spot in the quarter-finals of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in their 3-1 win against Norway at Wellington Regional Stadium.
Japan took the lead in the 15th minute when Hinata Miyazawa skilfully chipped an ambitious cross from the centre of the pitch. It met Norway’s Ingrid Engen, who miscalculated her positioning and inadvertently deflected the ball into her own net, leaving a scrambling Aurora Mikalsen helpless, and the lack of communication gifted Japan the advantage.
In the second half, Norway handed Japan a chance which proved to be costly. Yui Hasegawa’s pass in the box was intercepted, which seemed to mark the end of Japan’s attack, but Risa gave the ball away directly to Risa Shimizu, whose shot slightly deflected off Engen and found the back of the net, giving Japan a 2-1 lead.
Miyazawa scored her side’s third in the 81st minute, dashing the hopes of Norway equaliser.
As for Norway, it’s another disappointing tournament for this generation of players, and with tensions between manager and players being made public during the group stages, this may have been Hege Riise’s last match in charge.
