On Saturday 26 October, Nadeshiko Japan (Japan Women's National Team) played in the MIZUHO BLUE DREAM MATCH 2024 held at Japan National Stadium in Tokyo, where they defeated the Korea Republic Women's National Team 4-0.

In their first official match since the Games of the XXXIII Olympiad (Paris 2024), Nadeshiko Japan opted for a 4-4-2 formation, with YAMASHITA Ayaka (Manchester City) starting in goal and wearing the armband. KITAGAWA Hikaru (BK Hacken), KUMAGAI Saki (AS Roma), MINAMI Moeka (AS Roma) and MORIYA Miyabi (INAC Kobe Leonessa) formed the backline, while HASEGAWA Yui (Manchester City) and NAGANO Fuka (Liverpool FC) anchored the midfield. NAKASHIMA Yoshino (Sanfrecce Hiroshima Regina) and SEIKE Kiko (Brighton & Hove Albion) were deployed on the flanks, while TANAKA Mina (Utah Royals) and FUJINO Aoba (Manchester City) were the two strikers up front.

Kicking off under overcast skies, Japan kept their defensive line high, with both wingers applying aggressive pressure from the front. But under a new regime, Korea Republic fought hard to win possession and keep the Japanese attack at bay.

Japan went close in the 31st minute when a sequence of direct passes between Moriya, Seike and Hasegawa allowed Seike to shoot from close range, but her effort was saved by the woodwork.

With the momentum building, Japan broke the deadlock in the 32nd minute when Kitagawa latched onto Hasegawa's corner kick and headed into the far corner of the Korean net. Two minutes later, Japan's aggressive pressing deep into their opponents' half allowed them to double their lead through Fujino, with Tanaka providing the assist.

In the 37th minute, Tanaka pounced on an errant pass from the opposition defender to score Japan's third goal in just six minutes, sending the 12,420 crowd into a frenzy.

Three changes were made by Acting Head Coach SASAKI Norio at halftime, as HAMANO Maika (Chelsea), TANIKAWA Momoko (FC Rosengard), and UEKI Riko (West Ham United) came off the bench to start the second half.

Korea Republic had a chance to reduce the deficit in the 48th minute when LEE Eunyoung intercepted a pass deep in Japan's half and set up CHOI Yoojung on the edge of the box, but Yamashita got a hand to the ball before Minami cleared the loose ball.

It was Tanikawa who scored Japan's fourth goal when she converted a Moriya cross in the 56th minute. Acting coach Sasaki made two more changes, bringing on CHIBA Remina and SHIOKOSHI Yuzuho in the 59th and 68th minutes respectively, before handing 26-year-old debutant ENDO Yu (Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Urawa Reds Ladies) her first cap for Nadeshiko Japan.

Japan created plenty of chances throughout the match, recording 14 shots in total, to win 4-0 in the final official match of the 2024 Olympic year.

The team will continue training in Chiba until Tuesday 29 October.

Coach and Players' Comments

SASAKI Norio, Acting Head Coach of Nadeshiko Japan
Although it was a short period of time, the players and staff fought with a clear goal in mind as they prepared for a new start, trying to play the kind of football that would set new standards for Nadeshiko Japan. Of course, there were a few mistakes, and I think there were still a lot of scenes where they were not on the same page, but the players gave it their all for the full 90 minutes with the goal in mind, so I really appreciate their efforts and the support of the staff. I would like to pass the baton on to the next coach, using this experience to get a little closer to the goals and image that Nadeshiko Japan will pursue in the future. I think that if it were these girls, they would definitely be able to become a team that would live up to everyone's expectations at the Women's World Cup and the Olympic Games.

GK #1 YAMASHITA Ayaka (Manchester City/England)
Under a new regime, we didn't know what formation Korea Republic would play, so we played cautiously at the start of the game. Seeing our opposition dropping deep, I was able to work with the two centre-backs in the build-up, and the fact that the three of us were able to get past their strikers was something that coach Sasaki was looking for. It was good that we were able to score three goals in the first half, and it was good to see that our aggression up front was paying off. I thought I didn't fit the role of captain because of my personality, so I wondered if I should wear the armband, but I had to realise that I was relying too much on (Kumagai) Saki-san, so I gratefully accepted the role.

DF #13 KITAGAWA Hikaru (BK Hacken/Sweden)
The fact that we scored three goals in the first half, including the one I scored from a corner kick, was huge for us. We made a conscious effort to defend with a zone defence and to be aggressive on the ball. I used to play as a wing-back in a five-back defence, but after moving abroad I played as a full-back in a four-back defence, which is a position that suits me better, and I wanted to show that as much as possible. The near post is where I shine most from corner kicks, and I knew exactly what kind of ball (Hasegawa) Yui-san was going to deliver, so I was able to make good contact with it. I haven't had many opportunities from corner kicks for the national team, so I'm glad I was able to contribute today.

MF #16 TANIKAWA Momoko (FC Rosengard/Sweden)
I am glad that we were able to win today. Before the game, coach Sasaki told the players on the bench to keep an eye on the player in the same position, so I prepared myself while keeping that in mind. I came into the game thinking I wanted to get into the goal area for crosses and I was open when the ball went to (Moriya) Miyabi-san, so I ran with my hand up so she could see me. She seemed to notice, and a good cross came, so I just concentrated on keeping the ball down and making good contact. The fact that I was able to score gave me a confidence boost. The next three years between now and the World Cup are going to be very valuable, so I want to make the most of every moment.

Fixture: Nadeshiko Japan vs Korea Republic Women's National Team
Date: Sat. 26 October 2024, 14:20
Venue: Japan National Stadium (Tokyo)
Tournament information

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