On Wednesday, 28 February, Nadeshiko Japan (Japan Women's National Team) played the second leg of the final round of the Women's Olympic Football Tournament Paris 2024 Asian Qualifiers against DPR Korea Women's National Team at Japan National Stadium in Tokyo, where they won 2-1.

Japan made two changes after the 0-0 draw in the first leg, with KITAGAWA Hikaru (INAC Kobe Leonessa) and UENO Mami (Sanfrecce Hiroshima Regina) coming into the starting eleven. YAMASHITA Ayaka (INAC Kobe Leonessa) started in goal while MINAMI Moeka (AS Roma), KUMAGAI Saki (AS Roma), and TAKAHASHI Hana (Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Urawa Reds Ladies) formed the back line in a 3-4-3 formation. Kitagawa and SHIMIZU Risa (West Ham United) were placed on the flanks while NAGANO Fuka (Liverpool FC) and HASEGAWA Yui (Manchester City) started in the centre. Ueno, TANAKA Mina (INAC Kobe Leonessa), and FUJINO Aoba (Nippon TV Tokyo Verdy Beleza) were named as the three attackers upfront.

Despite the cold, with temperatures dipping below 10℃, a crowd of 20,777 turned out to cheer on the two teams in a match that would decide who would qualify for the Paris Olympics.

The match got off to a tense start, but Japan took the initiative from the outset. In the 10th minute, Tanaka Mina latched onto a pass from Ueno and fired a shot that was blocked by a defender. DPR Korea also threatened on the counter-attack, but Shimizu and Fujino kept up the pressure in midfield and prevented the visitors from creating any big chances. It was Japan who broke the deadlock in the 26th minute when Tanaka Mina responded to Ueno’s header and flicked a header towards the goal. Although her shot was parried by the goalkeeper and ricocheted off the crossbar, Takahashi was there to pounce on the rebound and send the ball into the net. DPR Korea came within inches to equalising just before the break when CHOE KUM OK's shot nearly crossed the goal line, but Yamashita was there to make a spectacular save as Japan went into the second half 1-0 up.

The second half saw DPR Korea winning more second balls to gain possession, but the Japanese defence, led by Kitagawa and Kumagai, showed great coverage to keep the visitors at bay. The introduction of SEIKE Kiko (Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Urawa Reds Ladies) in the 63rd minute gave Japan a new look in offence, while DPR Korea also made three substitutions in the 66th minute to change the dynamic of the game. Japan's long-awaited moment came in the 77th minute when Shimizu made a run down the right flank before whipping in a cross for Fujino to head home.

With their backs against the wall, DPR Korea made a late surge and managed to pull a goal back through KIM HYE YONG in the 81st minute. Buoyed by the goal, the visitors continued to threaten the Japanese goal in the closing minutes but were unable to find an equaliser as Japan held on for a 2-1 victory.

As a result, Japan booked their place in the Women's Olympic Football Tournament with a 2-1 win on aggregate. After the match, Nadeshiko Japan, who circled the stadium with a banner reading “Power to the affected areas,” received warm applause from the fans as they celebrated their sixth Olympic appearance.

Coach and Players' Comments

IKEDA Futoshi, Head Coach of Nadeshiko Japan (Japan Women's National Team)
I am delighted to have won and qualified for the Paris Olympics and I would like to thank the players who fought a tough match. Above all, I would like to thank the more than 20,000 people who came to Japan National Stadium to support the players, and I hope this victory has brought a little excitement to those watching on television. Now that we have qualified for the Olympics, we will continue to strive to reach higher levels, so we ask for your continued support. We were prepared for the possibility that our opponents might change their system between the first and second legs and, as a team, we made the necessary adjustments in various areas based on the experience we gained in the first leg. With so few teams competing in the Olympics, we have to treat every opponent as a competitor. Nadeshiko Japan will continue to grow and strengthen to become the best in the world.

FP #4 KUMAGAI Saki (AS Roma/Italy)
After travelling and coming back from Saudi Arabia, we really felt the difficulty of competing in the Asian qualifiers, so we all knew it wasn't going to be an easy game today. It was a tough match, but I am happy that we won and qualified for the Olympics. We failed to qualify for the Rio Olympics, and I felt very strongly that we could not afford to make the same mistake, so I told the players that it was our responsibility to win for the future of women's football in Japan. That is why I am feeling so relieved right now. The Olympics are like a sprint that requires a total team effort. I think it is absolutely necessary for us to improve our overall game because I don't think we are good enough to win gold yet. But for now, I am happy that we have the chance to compete for the medal.

FP #5 TAKAHASHI Hana (Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Urawa Reds Ladies)
I am happy that we can now continue to play for this team. When I scored the goal, I was determined to convert the loose ball at all costs. It was fortunate that the ball came my way, but it felt good to have capitalise on a set piece because we have been working on our set pieces as a team, including the designed plays at the Women’s World Cup. It was a game we couldn't afford to lose and everyone in the team knew what it meant to us. By preparing for many different scenarios, we were able to exploit our opponents' weaknesses. Our three-back formation was really effective today and allowed us to set up good attacks at the other end.

FP #10 NAGANO Fuka (Liverpool FC/England)
It feels great to have qualified. After the way the first leg went, we were determined to win the second leg at home. I think the fact that everyone was able to play with confidence led to the result. We were able to get long vertical passes to our forwards, something we lacked in the first leg, and that allowed us to create more chances in the attacking third. However, I think we still have a long way to go in terms of our overall quality. Personally, I was looking forward to this game and had no doubt that we would win today. My confidence was boosted by the enthusiasm of my team-mates at yesterday's training session, so I felt we were all on the same page in that respect.

FP #15 FUJINO Aoba (Nippon TV Tokyo Verdy Beleza)
(Reflecting on the goal scene) I ran towards the goal anticipating for a cross. I think the cross was intended for (Seike) Kiko-san, but I really wanted to score and also saw the movements of the goalkeeper, so I took my chance. I feel like I have given it my all in these two matches and I am exhausted right now. To be honest, I am feeling very relieved that we qualified for the Olympics. I am very happy to have scored the winning goal, and I am also very happy because I have never scored a header before. It would be great if everyone continues to support us as we head towards the Olympics, but I think we still have a long way to go to win the gold medal, so we need to make the most of today's experience and try to improve before the summer tournament.

Women's Olympic Football Tournament Paris 2024 - Asian Qualifiers Final Round

Fixture: Nadeshiko Japan vs DPR Korea Women's National Team
Date: Wed. 28 February 2024, 18:30
Venue: Japan National Stadium (Tokyo, Japan)
Match information