Japan women's national football team during the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup (Photo : Reuters)
Japan, the defending Women's World Cup champions, coasted to a 2-1 victory against the Netherlands in the final match of the competition's Round-of-16 stage. This set up a meeting with upset-hungry Australia in the quarterfinals of this year's tournament on Saturday.
Scheduled at the Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton, the Nadeshiko is keen on showing their technical skills and experience against a tough and determined Matildas, which made them overcome world power United States in 2011.
Leading the way for Norio Sasaki's girls are defender Saori Ariyoshi and midfielder Mizuho Sakaguchi, who scored the goals in their conquest of a lackluster Oranje. If not for a late goal by Dutch substitute forward Kirsten van de Ven, the Netherlands would have been blanked on their way out of the tourney.
Australia entered the quarters with a surprise win over one of the tournament favorites, world no. 7 Brazil, via The Guardian. Substitute forward Kyah Simon scored the lone goal a little over the hour mark to preserve the win for Alen Stajcic's squad.
Australia is slowly taking the reputation as giant killers this year. After losing to the United States in their tourney opener, they beat African champions Nigeria, drawn world no. 5 Sweden, and finally eliminated As Canarinhas in the knockouts.
Bleacher Report noted that the Japanese should expect a highly daunting task versus the Australians as the latter have time and again proven their mettle against higher seeded teams.
The predicted result is Nadeshiko winning a tight one over the Matildas, 1-0. It would be a tough match, but Japan's championship experience will take them through the round.
Japan starting lineup (4-2-2-2 formation): Kaihori; Ariyoshi, Iwashimizu, Kumagai, Sameshima; Sakaguchi, Utsugi; Kawasumi, Miyama; Ōgimi, Ohno
Australia starting lineup (4-2-3-1 formation): Williams; Kennedy, Alleway, Catley, Foord; Butt, Kellond-Knight; van Egmond, De Vanna, Kerr; Heyman
