After beating Spain 4-0 with only 23 per cent of possession in their group-stage finale, Japan again were a tactical chameleon in the round of 16 — playing with more than 60 per cent of possession in a commanding performance.
With long balls or sharp, quick passing, Japan continually pressed forward and Norway, who conceded only one goal in group play, often seemed rattled at the back.
When the defence finally yielded, it was in unusual circumstances. In the 15th minute Miyazawa curled the ball in from depth on the left and Engen extended her leg to parry the ball. She managed only to deflect it wide of Aurora Mikalsen in goal for the eighth own goal of the tournament.
Japan seemed well on top but in the 21st minute, and from the first time in the match Norway had threatened, Vilda Boe Rise got away on the right, took the ball to the byline and crossed to the middle where Reiten stood tall and headed wide of the diving Ayaka Yamashita into the left corner.
The goal came entirely against the run of play. After a half hour, Japan had 183 completed passes to Norway’s 88 and five shots on goal. Miyazawa, Aoba Fujino, Jun Endo and others had been threatening.
Shimizu’s goal came in the 50th minute as Japan pushed forward again from halfway. Miyazawa tried to hold up the ball near goal, lost possession to Boe Risa, who disastrously tried a back pass but rolled the ball into the path of Shimizu rushing in from the right to score.
Miyazawa produced a copybook finish in the 81st, running onto a superb through ball and directing her shot wide of Mikalsen to seal the victory.
- AP
