The Japanese women’s soccer team for the Paris Olympics, “Nadeshiko Japan,” played against Nigeria in the third group stage match held in Nantes, France on the 31st, and won 3-1. After starting with a loss, they won consecutive games and advanced to the final tournament for the second consecutive tournament.

In the 22nd minute of the first half, Ueki (West Ham) entered the left side of the penalty area and passed the ball to the opposite side, where Hamano (Chelsea) scored the opening goal. In the 32nd minute of the first half, Tanaka (Royals) pushed in the rebound of a shot that hit the crossbar to add another point. The unpleasant mood that had hung over the team after they conceded a goal in the 42nd minute of the first half was cleared away by Kitagawa (INAC Kobe) who scored a direct free kick in added time of the first half.

The first match of the final tournament, the quarterfinals, will be held on August 3rd, and the opponent will be the United States, the top team in Group B. The battle to become the world champion for the first time since the 2011 World Cup in Germany is about to begin. (Jiro Okuyama)