On Tuesday 13 November, the U-17 Japan Women’s National Team played their first group stage match of the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup Uruguay 2018 against the U-17 Brazil Women’s National Team.

Entering their first match of the tournament, the Japanese side seemed to be a little nervous as they made numbers of unforced errors. In contrast, Brazil came out attacking with great aggression as they utilised their fullbacks to attack the flanks. However, with the help of their goalkeeper OHBA Shu’s superb saves and the interceptions made by ITO Sara, Japan kept the score intact against the Brazilian side. In the 13th minute, OSAWA Haruka received the throw-in delivered by YOSHIZUMI Warai, before penetrating the penalty area and sending a cross towards the centre, but the shot taken by KAMIYA Chiina went just wide of the goal.

Brazil, who entered the World Cup as the leader of the South American qualifiers, created many opportunities from the early minutes of the match, but started to slow down after the 30th minute mark. With the match seeing Japan gradually taking over the possession game, another opportunity came towards Japan in the 32nd minute. Team captain MATSUDA Shino delivered a ball towards the goal from a free kick, which GOTO Wakaba connected with her right foot, but her attempt went wide of the target. As time progressed, Japan picked up their pace as they created their momentum through their ball movements and started to utilise the width of the field effectively......

＞＞READ MORE "JAPAN FA"