On Tuesday 5 March, the Nadeshiko Japan (Japan Women’s National Team) played their final match of the 2019 SheBelieves Cup against the England Women's National Team. With both teams entering the final match with the same record of a win and a draw, and with the two sides scheduled to square off at the group stage of the upcoming FIFA Women’s World Cup France, it became a pivotal match in many aspects.

Following their match against the Brazil Women's National Team, Coach TAKAKURA Asako started MINAMI Moeka and OGA Risako at the centre half position, while MATSUBARA Arisa and SUGITA Hina were positioned in the defensive midfield role after starting in the match against the USA Women's National Team.

In efforts to take the initiative of the match Japan created an opportunity in the fourth minute, when Minami delivered the ball to SAKAGUCHI Moeno to penetrate the right flank. Five minutes later, HASEGAWA Yui intercepted the ball before sending a through ball to ENDO Jun to threaten the opposing goal. However, it was England who scored the opening goal, as Lucy STANFORTH captured the net from distance in the 12th minute, giving her side the 1-0 lead......

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