Japan face feisty competition in quarterfinal matchup against Australia
What do you get when you cross the superb defending champs with an upstart group of wannabe contenders in the quarterfinals of the 2015 World Cup? You get Japan vs. Australia -- a very interesting matchup, since these sides represent two divergent styles.
Japan is a highly skilled, highly disciplined yet not at all stodgy or mechanical. They are a pleasure to watch, in part, because they seem to play with passion and joy. And after knocking off top-rated host country Germany in 2011 en route to Japan's glorious upset over the U.S. in the final, Japan is even better this time around.
Ranked No. 4 in the FIFA World Rankings, the Nadeshiko have cruised through group play (they faced three first-timers to the World Cup there) and their knockout win over the Netherlands. But in Australia, Norio Sasaki's side will get an opponent that has used this World Cup to prove that it deserves their No. 10 ranking, which should improve since the Matildas defeated Brazil in their first knockout round win ever in World Cup history.
Australia did not get much resistance from an overmatched and lackluster Brazil, however, the Matildas have to feel battle-ready after coming out of the Group of Death. They lost to the U.S., 3-1, but were adamant they were close to beating the No. 2-ranked team. Confidence? They Aussies have it, with a lot of shirt-tugging to go along.
"The players stuck to their tasks well, demonstrating good execution speed and a strong mental attitude ... We want to go as far as possible in this tournament. Thinking about what might happen next is actually very exciting," said Australia head coach Alen Stajcic.
This is the Aussies' fourth Top-10 opponent in the tournament, after losing to the U.S.; earning a draw with No. 5 Sweden and scoring that knockout win over No. 7 Brazil. They have not played Japan since last May in the Women's Asian Cup final, which Japan won, 1-0. Under Sasaki, Japan is 6-1-1 against Australia, the lone loss coming in the semifinal of the 2010 Women's Asian Cup.
"Australia is a completely different team this time. They have improved quite a lot. They are technically much superior. We have to be aware of that. I must say Australia has great potential right now -- we need to be aware of that and make sure we play well," Sasaki said.
Australia is being driven by strikers Lisa De Vanna, who has two goals, and Kyah Simon with 3 goals. They are the engine for the Australia attack, which features a ton of pressure and ball movement with some full-steam finishes. These women are making the most of this year's World Cup stage.
But against Japan, the Aussies will meet the best team they've seen so far this June. Japan is deep, experienced without being too old. They may have brought the magnificent 26-year-old national "talisman" Homare Sawa along for her sixth World Cup, but this team is not nostalgic or willing to take a single shortcut.
While they have scored only six goals, the Nadeshiko are highly efficient -- the best in the business. Mizuho Sakaguchi scored a brilliant goal to beat the Netherlands, while midfielder Aya Miyama is the central figure in transition having played all 360 minutes. Forward Yuki Ogimi is the only other Japan player to notch 360 minutes, as Sasaki has spread time through the entire Japan roster.
All six Japan goals comes from six different players. They also lead all World Cup teams with their 82 percent passing accuracy on a total of 2,126 passes so far, just shy of France's tournament high mark of 2,190.
This will be where the Matildas are most tested. Their passing is far less frequent than Japan, with 1371 passes and only a 71 percent accuracy rate. Likewise, Australia have the fewest shots (44) of all the remaining teams.
It remains to be seen if Sasaki reverts to Erina Yamane in goal for this match. Against the Netherlands, Sasaki used veteran Ayumi Kaihori, as he has been willing to rotate all three Japan keepers into action. However, in a very strange and unusual mishap, Kaihori allowed a late Netherlands goal to bounce off her chest into the net in a momentary lapse of concentration. But with Yamane said to be OK after a slight shoulder separation, he may opt to return her as the starter.
Given their energy and their fight, it's tough to imagine that the Aussies will allow a brutal travel itinerary to stop them from giving Japan a solid battle. The consolation for each team is that whoever wins gets to stay in Edmonton to play the semifinal match against the winner of the Canada-England match.
