Japan vs Norway odds and betting statistics
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Japan vs Norway match preview
Japan were, probably, the most-impressive team of the entire group stage, so just how far will this team go?
For only the second time in their history, eight years after first achieving this, the Nadeshiko won three group games out of three at a World Cup, this time doing so without even conceding.
First, Futoshi Ikeda’s team demolished Zambia 5-0 in Hamilton, before an equally commanding 2-0 victory over Costa Rica in Dunedin.
Nevertheless, Japan still went into their final group game, a top spot decider against Spain, needing to win to claim first place.
Well, they certainly achieved that in some style, racing into a 3-0 half time lead, before eventually claiming a statement 4-0 victory.
Hinata Miyazawa twice on target, both after bursting in-behind, while Riko Ueki’s deflected shot and Mina Tanaka’s stunning solo strike secured a famous win in Wellington late on.
So, will the Asian juggernauts march through to the quarter-finals again?
Norway meanwhile were far from impressive throughout the group phase, but have improved game-by-game.
The Grasshoppers were beaten 1-0 by co-hosts New Zealand in their opener, but an uninspiring goalless draw against Switzerland left them in a perilous position.
In the face of reports of infighting within the Norwegian cap, Hege Riise’s side booked their place in the round of 16 last Sunday by hammering minnows Philippines 6-0 at Eden Park.
Sophie Román Haug bagging a hat-trick, the first of which was a van Basten-esque volley, before Caroline Graham Hansen struck from long-range, an own goal made it four and Guro Reiten converted a penalty.
Norway are World Cup ever-presents, hoisting aloft the trophy themselves in 1995, with this their biggest victory at the tournament for two decades.
However, how much of that 6-0 victory is down to Norway being back, and how much can be accredited to Philippines being bad, is as yet unknown.
So, Japan kick off this clash of former World Champions as favourites at Wellington Regional Stadium.
Who will advance through to a mouthwatering quarter-final clash with either Sweden or USA at Eden Park next Friday?
Japan team news
The most impressive aspect of Japan’s 4-0 shellacking of Spain is the fact Futoshi Ikeda actually rung the changes ahead of that game, resting players for this tie.
The manager has rotated throughout the tournament in fact, with teenage striker Maika Hamano the only outfielder yet to see any action, emphasising this team’s strength-in-depth.
Riko Ueki scored against both Zambia and Spain, but could be left on the bench once again, given that Hinata Miyazawa is currently on course to win the golden boot, having scored four times so far.
The Nadeshiko’s most-recent tournament meeting with Norway was at the 2008 Olympics, prevailing 5-1 in Shànghǎi, hoping for a similar outcome.
Predicted XI (5-4-1): Yamashita; Shimizu, Ishikawa, Kumagai, Minami, Endō; Hasegawa, Nagano, Fujino, Miyazawa; Tanaka.
Norway teams news
The big question mark ahead of this game surrounds the fitness of star striker Ada Hegerberg, who suffered an injury in the warm-up on matchday two, pulling out of the Switzerland game mere seconds prior to kick off.
The inaugural Ballon d’Or Féminin winner wasn’t even on the bench against Philippines but, having had 11 days to recover, is hopeful of playing some part here.
Sophie Román Haug wasn’t a bad deputy, becoming just the fourth Norwegian women to score a World Cup hat-trick, after Kristin Sandberg (1995), Ann Kristin Aarønes (also 1995) and Ragnhild Gulbrandsen (2007).
Caroline Graham Hansen was only on the bench against the Swiss, something she wasn’t very pleased about, but responded by scoring last weekend, so will remain a key figure.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Mikalsen; Bjelde, Harviken, Mjelde, Hansen; Bøe Risa, Reiten, Graham Hansen, Maanum, Román Haug; Haavi.
Japan′s Women’s World Cup results & fixtures
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Norway′s Women’s World Cup results & fixtures
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Women’s World Cup round of 16 results & fixtures
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