Women’s World Cup: Former Champions Collide in the Round of 16

Japan vs Norway

Japan and Norway have made it to the knockout stage of the 2023 Women’s World Cup, and they are set to square off at the Wellington Regional Stadium this Saturday.

Japan had a straightforward path to the Round of 16, dominating Group C with three wins in all of their group stage matches.

But the same can’t be said for Norway, who were in dire straits prior to the final group stage matchday. After losing to New Zealand and drawing with Switzerland, they vented their ire towards the Philippines to power their way into the second spot in Group A.

Because they’re ranked 11^th and 12^th in the FIFA women’s rankings, respectively, SBOTOP football fans should expect nothing less from Japan and Norway this weekend.

Talking Points

Japan are firing on all cylinders

Two victories are normally enough to get you over the line in the group stage, but Japan decided to deliver another statement performance before the Round of 16 by pummeling Spain 4-0, who were also contending for the top spot.

Despite having less time on the ball (22-per cent possession) and fewer shots (only 7), the Nadeshiko were ruthlessly efficient against La Roja since their first three touches of the ball inside the opposition’s penalty area saw them build a three-goal lead after 40 minutes.

After 12 minutes, Hinata Miyazawa scored in transition, and then Riko Ueki deflected a shot into the goal. Before the first half ended, Miyazawa completed the brace with yet another counterattack, bringing her total to four goals and taking the lead in the Golden Boot race.

Mina Tanaka added another entry for Japan in the Women’s World Cup 2023 highlights reel when she scored the game’s final goal during the 82^nd minute.

Spain played with more purpose in the second half. But for all their possessions and more than 900 passes, they just couldn’t get it going in the final third.

Prior to Spain, Japan annihilated Zambia and Costa Rica with a combined tally of 6-0. Much of the talk may have been about their goals, but their defence should be praised too because they have yet to concede a goal.

No Hegerberg, no problem for Norway?

Ada Hegerberg’s recovery from injury is important for Norway’s forthcoming match against Japan. The inaugural Ballon d’Or winner in 2018 sat out their last two games because she tweaked her groin.

The team must regulate Hegerberg’s workload because groin issues frequently persist. Because of their dismal start to this tournament, benching her was thought to be a gamble. Fortunately for them, the others stepped up.

With Hegerberg out, Sophie Roman Haug became Norway’s de facto No. 9. The 24-year-old scored a hat-trick against the Philippines, which was enough to secure their berth in the knockout stage.

Other than Haug, Norway have other weapons that can give Japan problems, such as Caroline Graham Hansen, Guro Reiten, and Emilie Haavi.

History

Japan and Norway have a history of winning the Women’s World Cup, with the former winning it in 2011 and the latter doing so in 1995.

In 1995, Norway won all of their matches in Group B with a whopping goal difference of +17. Throughout the tournament, they only conceded one goal, and that was in their 3-1 win over Denmark in the quarter-finals.

Hege Riise and Ann Kristin Aarones were the standouts for Norway, as they combined for 11 goals. Riise won the Golden Ball, while Aarones took home the Golden Shoe.

In 2011, Japan settled for the second spot in Group B after losing to England in the final group stage match. The Nadeshiko fought their way to the final, and they defeated the mighty USA team 3-1 in the penalty shootout after drawing 2-2 in regular time.

It was a tournament to remember for Japan’s Homare Sawa, as she won both the Golden Ball and the Golden Boot.

Prior to Saturday, Japan and Norway had met six times, with the former winning five and the latter winning only once. Their last meeting was a friendly in 2018, which Japan won with a 4-1 scoreline.

Betting Tip

The Women’s World Cup 2023 odds back Japan to win on Saturday. The Nadeshiko are priced to win at 1.82, while Norway are at 3.55, and a draw is at 3.25 in the 1X2 market. I agree that Japan will win this one. Norway may be fresh from a dominant win against the 46^th-ranked Philippines, but it’ll be hard to see them have their way against the stronger Nadeshiko.

 

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