On Sunday 28 July (local time), Nadeshiko Japan (Japan Women's National Team) played their second group stage match at the Games of the XXXIII Olympiad (Paris 2024) against the Brazil Women's National Team at Parc des Princes in Paris, France.

Three days after their 1-2 defeat to Spain, head coach IKEDA Futoshi opted to switch from a 4-4-2 to a 3-4-3 formation and made three changes to the starting line-up. YAMASHITA Ayaka (INAC Kobe Leonessa) started in goal behind a backline of TAKAHASHI Hana (Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Urawa Reds Ladies), KUMAGAI Saki (AS Roma) and MINAMI Moeka (AS Roma), while MORIYA Miyabi (INAC Kobe Leonessa) and KOGA Toko (Feyenoord) were deployed as full-backs. HASEGAWA Yui (Manchester City) and NAGANO Fuka (Liverpool FC) started as holding midfielders, while HAMANO Maika (Chelsea) and MIYAZAWA Hinata (Manchester United) started as wingers, with TANAKA Mina (Utah Royals) starting as a central striker.

Japan started the first half cautiously, defending with five at the back against Brazil, who used the long ball to get more players forward and look for opportunities to score on the counterattack.

The first real chance came in the 19th minute when Miyazawa controlled Yamashita's long pass and carried the ball deep into the opposition half before squaring for Tanaka, who fired wide from close range. In the 38th minute, Hasegawa latched onto Moriya's cross, but her shot was saved by Brazil goalkeeper LORENA. Perhaps the biggest chance of the first half came on the stroke of half-time when Moriya's shot deflected off the hand of an opposing defender in the box, giving Japan the chance to take the lead from the penalty spot. However, after Tanaka's shot was saved by Lorena, the game went into the break level at 0-0.

After making three changes at half-time, Brazil gradually picked up the pace and took control of the game, breaking the deadlock in the 56th minute when LUDMILA latched onto a through ball from MARTA before sending a cross into the path of JHENIFFER, who calmly slotted the ball into the corner of the net from the edge of the penalty area.

In search of an equaliser, Japan brought on West Ham United's UEKI Riko off the bench to try and revive their attack. Tanaka went close in the 63rd and 68th minutes, with the final passes coming from Ueki and Moriya respectively but was unable to find the back of the net.

SEIKE Kiko (Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Urawa Reds Ladies) was introduced in the 70th minute, before CHIBA Remina (Eintracht Frankfurt) and TANIKAWA Momoko (FC Rosengard) came on in the 80th to give Japan more pace on the flanks and in the final third. And the long-awaited moment came in the second minute of additional time when Tanikawa's individual effort led to a handball in the box and Japan's second penalty of the match. Captain Kumagai stepped up to calmly slot home the spot-kick and bring Japan back from the brink of elimination.

With time running out and both sides desperate for a winner, the game opened up considerably, leading to Japan's second goal in the sixth minute of additional time when Seike's pace forced the Brazilian defence to misplay a pass, allowing Tanikawa to shoot from distance. The 19-year-old's shot sailed over the keeper's head and into the top left-hand corner of the net to give Japan the lead. Japan held on for the remainder of added time and ran out 2-1 winners, taking three points and second place in the group.

Japan will now travel to Nantes to play their final group stage match against Nigeria at Stade de la Beaujoire on Wednesday 31 July (local time).

Coach and Players' Comments

IKEDA Futoshi, Head Coach of Nadeshiko Japan (Japan Women's National Team)
We finished the first half scoreless despite creating a number of close opportunities. I am proud of my players for believing in themselves and continuing to do what they are supposed to do, even after conceding the lead in the second half. The substitutes also did a great job executing their role. In that sense, this game has really given us momentum and courage for the games to come. We had used two of our three substitutes before Tanikawa came on, so we had to be careful about when and how we made our final substitution. She really used her strength, dribbling and shooting skills to contribute to the goals. This result was only possible because of our preparation, so we will continue to do our best to prepare for our next game.

MF #10 NAGANO Fuka (Liverpool FC/England)
We knew from our scouting report that their two defensive midfielders would press hard on our midfield, so our plan was to bait them deep in our half and exploit the space behind them. We looked a bit stiff at the start of the game, but it wasn't that we were playing passively, it just took us a while to find our rhythm. We knew Brazil would defend man-to-man, so we kept looking for ways to get into the space behind their back line. Hinata's runs down the flank were something we had been preparing for. I wish I could have kept a better balance in midfield, so that is something I will have to work on for the next game.

MF #12 TANIKAWA Momoko (FC Rosengard/Sweden)
Before the game, my dad told me to look for opportunities to exploit the Brazilian goalkeeper, who tends to position themselves higher than normal. His advice helped me to read the situation and shoot without much hesitation. I am very happy that I was able to contribute to the team's victory, especially as I went out on the pitch determined to change the course of the game. I was confident in my ability, so I am just grateful to have been given the opportunity. My first priority is to help the team, so I kept thinking about what I could do to help. When I was on the bench, I watched Yui-san and Fuka-san pressurising the midfield and looking for openings when our team won the ball.

FW #11 TANAKA Mina (Utah Royals/USA)
I was afraid that I might have cost the team the tournament again, so I am very grateful to my teammates. I felt terrible, but as long as I was on the pitch, and as long as Futoshi-san believed in me, I was determined to give my all in terms of running forward and defending for the team. I had been working on my penalty kicks since the Tokyo Olympics, but I was very disappointed with myself. There was a chance we could have been knocked out of the tournament, so I was really scared.

Games of the XXXIII Olympiad/XVII Paralympic Games (Paris 2024)

Football Tournament: Thu. 25 July - Sat. 7 September 2024
Tournament information