Champions Japan saw off a late fight-back from the Netherlands to book a place in the quarter-finals of the FIFA Women’s World Cup with a 2-1 win in Vancouver.
Japan controlled the early possessions, but it was the Dutch who had the first opportunity to take the lead, coming close from Sherida Spitse. Her effort flew over the bar from 20 metres.
They were made to pay as the Japanese took the lead after 10 minutes. A Yuki Ogimi header hit the bar, but Saori Ariyoshi was on hand to slot home the rebound.
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Japan almost extended their lead before the break, but Shinobu Ohno’s header narrowly missed the target.
At the restart, the Dutch nearly gifted their opponent an own goal from Mandy Van den Berg, who mistimed a cross from Nahomi Kawasumi.
The Netherlands pressed for an equaliser, which they almost got but their effort was twice cleared off the line.
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It proved dire as Japan extended their lead shortly after with a Mizuho Sakaguchi’s strike from the edge of the penalty box.
Kirsten Van Den Ven pulled a goal back in injury time, but it proved too little too late as Japan held on to the win. They will face Australia in the last-eight.
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