FIFA Women’s World Cup: Japan fine-tune, USA fight to advance

The holders have already qualified for the last-16 round

VANCOUVER: Holders Japan have the luxury of tinkering with their tactics as title rivals USA play for a spot in the last-16 in the final group game at the Women’s World Cup on Tuesday.

Japan eased into the next round of the 24-team tournament with a game to spare after wins over Switzerland and Cameroon in Group C with minnows Ecuador next on their radar in Winnipeg.

The US lead Group D with four points after following their opening 3-1 win over Australia with their first ever goalless draw in the tournament against Sweden in front of a sell-out crowd of 32,716 at Winnipeg Stadium.

“We’re still in the driver’s seat. We have an opportunity to finish on top if we get things done against Nigeria,” said USA coach Jill Ellis, whose side would meet 2007 runners-up Brazil by finishing second. “We’re not taking anything for granted; it’s not labelled the ‘Group of Death’ for nothing.”

Japan coach Norio Sasaki already has his eyes focused on the knockout rounds. “Psychologically, it helps that we will be advancing to the next stage,” said Sasaki. “We’re preparing for the next round as we approach the next match [against Ecuador].”

Switzerland and Cameroon, both on three points, go head-to-head for the second automatic qualifying spot from Group C in Edmonton, which would assure them of playing the next match there.

Behind Olympic champions USA are Australia, second on three points after defeating Nigeria 2-0, with Sweden on two and Nigeria on one. 

Published in The Express Tribune, June 16^th,  2015.

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