On Sunday 10 November, the Nadeshiko Japan (Japan Women’s National Team) will face the South Africa Women’s National Team in the MS&AD Cup 2019 at Kitakyushu Stadium, Fukuoka.

The two drew in London in most recent encounter

South Africa is currently ranked 55th in the FIFA ranking (as of 27 September), and the team has shown rapid growth since 2007, when they were ranked 74th at the time. After appearing at the Olympics in 2012 and 2016, the team reached their highest rank of 48th in December 2018.

At this year’s FIFA Women's World Cup France 2019, despite being eliminated at the group stage, the team scored a magnificent goal against the Spain Women’s National Team in their first ever Women's World Cup appearance. Their team captain, Janine VAN WYK has over 160 caps for the national team and played for clubs in the USA and Denmark throughout her career.

Although South Africa has been eliminated from the African qualifiers for the Tokyo Olympics, the team has won their third consecutive title at the 2019 COSAFA Women's Championship in August.

The Nadeshiko Japan has faced South Africa twice in the past, and their most recent encounter came at the group stage of the London Olympics in 2012. In that match, KUMAGAI Saki and IWABUCHI Mana were both in the starting line-up, where the two sides shared a point apiece in a scoreless draw.

A precious opportunity to face an African side

Since coach TAKAKURA Asako took over the helm in 2016, the Nadeshiko Japan has played in just one match against teams from the Confederation of African Football. That one match was against the Ghana Women’s National Team at the MS&AD Cup 2018, where Japan claimed a 7-1 victory. Ahead of the match against the growing leader of women’s football in Africa, coach Takakura mentioned, “By facing a team who consists with a different playing style from the USA and the European teams, this match will give us a wonderful opportunity to broaden our playing style.”

With their 4-0 victory over the Canada Women's National Team in an international friendly match played on 6 October, the Nadeshiko Japan got off to a great start ahead of next year’s Summer Olympics in Tokyo. However, coach Takakura was not content with the team’s performance, “In order to compete at the highest level of the world stage, we still have plenty of room for improvements.”

Ahead of the final round of the EAFF E-1 Football Championship 2019 in December and next year’s Tokyo Olympics, this match against South Africa will be a crucial test match for the Nadeshiko Japan.

The Nadeshiko Japan will face the South Africa Women’s National Team at Kitakyushu Stadium on Sunday 10 November.

MS&AD Cup 2019

Nadeshiko Japan (Japan Women’s National Team) vs South Africa Women’s National Team
Date: Sun. 10 November 2019 Kick-off at 12:45
*Change has been made to the kick-off time.
Venue: Kitakyushu Stadium, Fukuoka

Tournament Information