On Sunday 11 November, Nadeshiko Japan (Japan Women's National Team) played an international friendly against the Norway Women's National Team at Bird Stadium in Tottori.

The match kicked-off under a warm weather with temperature of 19.3℃. In the early minutes of the match, Japan struggled to break through the Norwegian defence despite taking control of the ball.

However, in the 16th minute, Japan’s YOKOYAMA Kumi scored directly from a free-kick which IWABUCHI Mana earned just outside of the box. Iwabuchi converted an opportunity in the 27th minute, when she received a pass from HASEGAWA Yui in the penalty area to make it 2-0.

Norway sought for their opportunities by collecting the ball to Caroline GRAHAM HANSEN in the right flank, as she created multiple chances from her dribbles. However, the shot taken by Graham Hansen and Kristine MINDE were saved by the Japanese goalkeeper YAMASHITA Ayaka in the 30th and 44th minute respectively. SAMESHIMA Aya showed her excellence in covering the space behind the defence line to keep their 2-0 lead into halftime.

NAGANO Fuka made her Nadeshiko Japan debut in the second half as she initiated the team’s third goal in the 55th minute. NAKAJIMA Emi chased down the ball delivered by Nagano before sending a cross towards the middle, which Iwabuchi capitalised to make it 3-0. In the 63rd minute, MOMIKI Yuka, who came onto the pitch to replace Iwabuchi, registered the home side’s fourth goal, as she converted an opportunity created from a turnover forced by SUGASAWA Yuika. The ball was passed to Hasegawa who found Momiki making the run upfront and released the ball. Momiki dribbled the ball towards the box before unleashing a superb shot with her left foot to capture the goal.

In the 78th minute, Coach TAKAKURA brought on 18-year-old MIYAZAWA Hinata, who was also making her Nadeshiko Japan debut along side Nagano, as she was seen making chances from the left flank.

During the match, Norway created numbers of opportunities from their corner kicks. In the 81st minute, Ina GAUSDAL converted a loose ball following a corner kick to register their first goal of the match.

Japan kept on attacking until the final whistle, but the match ended with a score of 4-1. As a result, Nadeshiko Japan capped off their final official match of the year with a victory.

Following the match, a ceremony was conducted to commemorate Sameshima and KUMAGAI Saki’s 100th cap with the national team. Sameshima made her 100th appearance in the match against Korea DPR Women's National Team in the Asian Games on 25 August, while Kumagai recorded her 100th on this match against Norway. The two were presented with flowers and a jersey commemorating their feat.

The Nadeshiko Japan will conduct a training match on Monday 12 November to finish their activities for this year.

Coach and Players' Comments

TAKAKURA Asako, Coach of Nadeshiko Japan (Japan Women's National Team)
We couldn’t seem to pick up the pace in the first half, as we made many mistakes from our passive plays, however, Yokoyama and Iwabuchi did well to give us the lead. The new players also did well to give us a good momentum. They have given us more options to work with in the future. This year, we played a total of 20 official matches and we recorded 13 wins, 2 draws, and 5 losses. I feel like we have seen gradual improvements, so we hope to continue on this growth while building on our confidence and keeping a sense of humbleness moving forward. We will give our best to once again showcase a hardworking style of ours at the world stage.

GK #18 YAMASHITA Ayaka (Nippon TV Beleza)
We were turning over the ball too many times when our defence weren’t fully prepared. We tried to communicate, especially when facing a corner kick to fix the issue on the pitch. From here on, how we defend against tall opponents will be a key factor. In the scene where we conceded the goal today, if I could have caught the ball instead of punching it out, we could have saved that goal, so I must work on that aspect.

MF #27 NAGANO Fuka (Incheon Hyundai Steel Red Angels/Korea Republic)
When I was called up to the Nadeshiko Japan last time, I didn’t get to play in a match, so when I entered the match today, I was eager to prove that I belong here. My teammates kept on encouraging me, and I knew most of the players, so I wasn’t nervous, and I was able to enter the match smoothly. In Korea Republic, where I usually play, the pressure is very intense, so that might have helped me perform well in this match. We have seven months until the FIFA Women’s World Cup. I will keep improving myself so that I can get called up into the final roster.

FW #8 IWABUCHI Mana (INAC Kobe Leonessa)
(In the first goal) Hasegawa forced the turnover and delivered a great pass, so I am glad I was able to convert it. Looking back on the year, we didn’t get off to a good start, but the two Asian titles have really given us the confidence. However, when we’re asked about today’s performance, we can’t really be satisfied with how we played. We need to eliminate those errors we made in the first half and improve the overall quality of the entire team. We have limited time to work together as the national team, but we will keep working hard with high intentions to strive for higher goals.

FW #20 YOKOYAMA Kumi (AC Nagano Parceiro Ladies)
Although I managed to score a goal, I felt that I need to be more creative to breakdown the opposing defence. The experience I have gained in Germany has helped me face taller opponents. In the scene where I scored the goal, I was trying to lift the ball a bit higher, but I am glad it went into the far side. It’s great that we managed to win against a European powerhouse, but there are still many stronger teams. We have very limited time left, but I will keep working hard so that I can get selected into the final member of the FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Schedule

*The schedule is subject to change due to the team condition, the weather, etc.

International Friendly Match

Sun. 11 November 2018 14:00 Kick-off
Nadeshiko Japan (Japan Women's National Team) vs Norway Women's National Team
Bird Stadium, Tottori

Tournament Information