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FIFA Women’s World Cup: Japan beat Scotland 2-1

For Scotland it was the end of their FIFA Women’s World Cup campaign as they have now lost a couple of matches in a row, losing their opening game to England. 

FIFA Women’s World Cup: Japan beat Scotland 2-1

Japan's forward Mana Iwabuchi celebrates after scoring a goal during the France 2019 Women's World Cup Group D football match between Japan and Scotland, on June 14, 2019, at the Roazhon Park stadium in Rennes, western France. (Photo by LOIC VENANCE / AFP)

Japan defeated Scotland 2-1 in their second clash of the FIFA Women’s World Cup on Friday and kept their campaign well on course to proceed to the next stage of the tournament.

Meanwhile, for Scotland it was the end of their FIFA Women’s World Cup campaign as they have now lost a couple of matches in a row, losing their opening game to England.

Japan, on the other hand, were coming on the back of a 0-0 draw against Argentina. However, this was a different Japan which had turned up as they had realized the importance of winning the match and getting some goal difference in their favour.

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Japan and England were anyway favourites to qualify from this Group but Japan’s drawn match against Argentina had opened up other possibilities. However, now that Japan have won they are at the top of the table in this group followed by England and Argentina.

It was a sight to behold when the Japan players bowed to thank the support of all the people who had turned up to cheer and support them. Although Japan are runners up of the previous edition of the FIFA Women’s World Cup, a sloppy performance from them against Argentina had faced a lot of criticism.

In this match, they had pulled up their socks. In 23rd minute Japan took the lead with Mana Iwabuchi’s goal. In the 36th minute, Sugawasa doubled the lead by converting the penalty into goal and just before the half time they came close to getting another goal but Hina Sugita’s kick hit the post.

In the second half, although, Scotland looked much better and even scored a 78th minute goal, courtesy Lana Clelland, but the equaliser never came. Perhaps they had left too much for themselves to do in the second half.

In FIFA Women’s World Cup ahead, Japan play England on 20 June, Thursday while Scotland play Argentina on the same day.

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