Japan came from behind to lose to the United States 2-1 at the SheBelieves Cup on Saturday in the national team's first match since qualifying for the Paris Olympics in February, despite taking the lead within 30 seconds. I smoked it.
Japanese players (blue) react after allowing the United States the tying goal during the first half of the SheBelieves Cup game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on April 6, 2024. (Kyodo News)
Nadeshiko Japan, ranked 7th in the FIFA rankings, had Urawa Reds' forward Kiko Seike react to a long ball from Momoko Tanikawa on the right flank and score a goal at the foot of the left upright at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. It got off to a dreamlike start. In Atlanta.
However, the hosts, who placed fourth in the tournament, piled on the pressure as the 50,644-strong crowd cheered them on, and in the 21st minute Jaedyn Shaw equalized with a low shot from the edge of the box, allowing Japan to keep the ball in their own half. , leaving keeper Ayaka Yamashita stranded. half.
Yui Hasegawa (left) of Japan competes for the ball with Lindsey Horan of the United States during the first half of the SheBelieves Cup match at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on April 6, 2024. (Kyodo News)
Japan made three substitutions at half-time, but they were unable to change the course of the match, and in the 77th minute, Hina Sugita brought down Sophia Smith in the box and Lindsay Horan converted a penalty, putting them on the back foot. It became.
Japan national team coach Futoshi Ikeda said, “We took the lead right after the start, but our play after that became passive and we continued to make mistakes.'' He was “unable to put a brake on his opponent's momentum.”
Captain Saki Kumagai regretted her mistake in scoring the opening goal while trying to build up from the back, and said, “We have to accept the result.''
Japan will face No. 10 Brazil on Tuesday before facing the United States in the final of the four-team tournament, after the South American team tied 1-1 with No. 9 Canada before losing 4-2 in a penalty shootout.
Related coverage:
Soccer: Miyazawa, Hamano return to Japan for SheBelieves Cup
Soccer: Slutty Nadeshiko Japan gains momentum heading into Paris
Soccer: Nadeshiko Japan defeats North Korea 2-1 to qualify for Paris Olympics
