Football: Japan oust NZ in women’s WC

BOCHUM: Japan coach Norio Sasaki already has his eyes firmly fixed on the July 17 final after his side opened their bid for the women’s World Cup title with a 2-1 win over New Zealand. Sasaki’s ‘Nadeshiko’ are top of Group B with three points after rivals England had to settle for a 1-1 draw against Mexico in Wolfsburg. And although Japan coach admitted his side was pushed hard by New Zealand he believes the key to the title could lie in their group with a difficult tie against Mexico and England on July 1 and 5 respectively. “England are a fantastic team with discipline so if we beat England then I do feel we would be able to go to the final,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 29^th, 2011.