On Wednesday 31 July (local time), Nadeshiko Japan (Japan Women's National Team) played their third group stage match of the Games of the XXXIII Olympiad (Paris 2024) at Stade de la Beaujoire in Nantes, France, where they defeated the Nigeria Women's National Team 3-1 to finish second in the group stage and book their place in the quarterfinals.

With the team going into the match in a position to clinch the knockout stages with a draw or better, Japan made four changes to their starting line-up from the previous match against Brazil. YAMASHITA Ayaka (INAC Kobe Leonessa) started in goal with KUMAGAI Saki (AS Roma), TAKAHASHI Hana (Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Urawa Reds Ladies) and ISHIKAWA Rion (Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Urawa Reds Ladies) in defence. KITAGAWA Hikaru (INAC Kobe Leonessa) and MORIYA Miyabi (INAC Kobe Leonessa) were deployed as full-backs on the flanks, while HASEGAWA Yui (Manchester City) and HAYASHI Honoka (West Ham United) started as holding midfielders. UEKI Riko (West Ham United) and HAMANO Maika (Chelsea) started as wingers, while TANAKA Mina (Utah Royals) played as a central striker. Kitagawa, Hayashi and Ishikawa made their first appearances, while Ueki made her first start of the tournament in a 3-4-3 formation.

The match began with Japan showing great aggression to take the initiative. Nigeria built their attack through long balls, but the Japanese defence showed great composure to keep the ball away from their ace, Asisat OSHOALA.

The opening goal came in the 22nd minute when Hasegawa's well-executed through ball down the left allowed Ueki to break into the area before squaring for Hamano to slot home into the open net. Japan doubled their lead in the 32nd minute when Ueki met Moriya's cross with a powerful header. Although her shot was saved by the crossbar, Tanaka was on hand to pounce on the rebound for her first goal of the tournament.

Nigeria got on the scoreboard in the 42nd minute when Jennifer ECHEGINI played a pass-and-go with Christy UCHEIBE just outside the area before unleashing a left-footed shot that found the back of the net. However, Japan went into the break with a two-goal lead after Kitagawa struck a perfectly placed shot to convert a direct free-kick during additional time of the first half.

SEIKE Kiko (Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Urawa Reds Ladies) replaced Tanaka at the start of the second half, while MIYAZAWA Hinata (Manchester United) and NAGANO Fuka (Liverpool FC) came on for Kitagawa and Hasegawa on the hour mark.

While maintaining control of the game, Japan continued their pursuit of a fourth goal. In the 66th minute, Seike connected with Miyazawa's cross with a header, before Hamano responded to Hayashi's through ball with a shot in the 72nd minute. Ueki superbly controlled Nagano's lobbed pass inside the area before unleashing a shot in the 79th minute, but Japan's efforts were unable to find the target.

After making two more substitutions in the 80th and 93rd minutes to bring on CHIBA Remina (Eintracht Frankfurt) and TANIKAWA Momoko (FC Rosengard) respectively, Japan held off the Nigerian offence to win the match 3-1.

The win saw Japan progress to the knockout stages as runners-up in Group C. They will now travel to Paris to take on the USA in the quarterfinals on Saturday 3 August.

Coach and Players' Comments

IKEDA Futoshi, Head Coach of Nadeshiko Japan (Japan Women's National Team)
First of all, I am happy to have made it through this tough Group C. We had to see how much power Nigeria would bring, but I think we managed to see how they played and controlled the game well. We were playing on just two days' rest from the previous game but having seen how the fresh players prepared for this game, I just told them to play with confidence. I am happy that we were able to make it through with a total team effort. Kitagawa and Ueki, who were making their first starts, embodied the idea of a total team effort. Each and every one of them has been thinking about what they can do to improve their conditioning and training and fulfil their responsibilities.

DF #13 KITAGAWA Hikaru (INAC Kobe Leonessa)
(Reflecting on her goal) At first, I thought about letting (Hasegawa) Yui-san take the free kick, but then she told me that I should take it and aim for the upper right. That is exactly what I did, and I am very happy that it went in. It was a game that allowed us to show our strengths as a team. I watched our games from the outside and wanted to contribute to the team when I got the chance. I wasn't sure how far I could go with the injury, but I was determined to give it my all when I found out I was starting, so I'm glad we got the win.

DF #21 ISHIKAWA Rion (Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Urawa Reds Ladies)
I was initially a backup member, but once the training camp for the Olympics started, I prepared myself with the mindset of playing in a match, so I was fully determined to make the most of this opportunity to help the team. It was our third game in the group stage, but I was personally very happy to be able to work for the team on the pitch. However, it also reminded me that I need to be more consistent with my play. I am sure the other teams will step up their game from here, so we will do our best to win the gold medal as a team. We only have two days to prepare for our next game, so we will try to prepare in the best possible way. If we all work together towards the same goal, I am sure we can win, so we will continue to work as a team until we win the tournament.

FW #9 UEKI Riko (West Ham United/England)
As long as I made a good run, I knew Yui-san would give me the ball. I timed myself well and was thinking about taking a shot, but I saw Maika calling for me. She ran hard to get there, and I think it was a good team goal. Personally, I want to help the team by scoring goals. Although I didn't score today, I'm getting closer and closer, so I'll continue to do my best to help the team win. My ability to work hard and keep making runs is my strength, but everyone in this team can do that, so I have to work even harder. In that sense, I feel that I have been able to do just that.

FW #11 TANAKA Mina (Utah Royals/USA)
Scoring goals is obviously the best way to contribute to the team, but I am happy to contribute to the team’s defence and act as a starting point for our offence. (Shimizu) Risa-san has been fighting with us all along, and it feels like we made it through with a total team effort.

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

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