NEWS

Gearing up for the Olympics, the Nadeshiko Japan women's team beat their Australian counterparts 3-0 in an international friendly match on Thursday afternoon at Homes Stadium in Kobe.

Playing in hot conditions, the Japanese ladies took control of the game but needed more than 40 minutes before breaking through the defensive Australians. Japan midfielder Homare Sawa broke the deadlock in the 43rd minute by heading home a fine cross from Aya Miyama.

The Aussies, who lost twice to Japan in the Asian Cup earlier this year, attempted to seek scoring chances on counterattacks.

But the hosts widened the lead two minutes into the second half, when forward Yuki Nagasato took a pass, cut deep into the box and fired home from a tight angle.

The Ladies in Blue dominated the rest of the match, threatening the Australian goal with efforts from Nagasato, Ohno and Miyama. In the 74th minute, Miyama and Kozue Ando hit back-to-back shots but were denied by substitute goalkeeper Melissa Barbieri and a defender. Midfielder Mizuho Sakaguchi also hit a volley wide in the 82nd minute.

But three minutes later, Karina Maruyama came off the bench and quickly won a penalty after being brought down in the box. The substitute forward wrong-footed Barbieri to convert the spot kick for Japan.

"Our players created moves spontaneously and showed what they have been working on," said Nadeshiko Japan coach Norio Sasaki.

"We still need to improve our mobility, which was not so good today partly because of the heat, and would like to work on that before going to China."

Australia coach Tom Sermanni commented, "We knew we would have to defend a lot in this game. Getting a goal early in the second half made it very, very difficult for us for the rest of the game. I think Japan has prepared well since the World Cup last year, but we've started covering many aspects with young and new players. I think the sweetness of the Japanese players showed particularly in the second half."

The Nadeshiko Japan will play Olympic-bound Argentina on July 29 at the National Stadium in Tokyo in a double-header warm-up with the men's squad before heading to China.

In the Olympics, the Nadeshiko will meet New Zealand, the United States and Norway in Group G.

Teams:
Japan — Miho Fukumoto (Ayumi Kaihori, 80th), Hiromi Ikeda (Rumi Utsugi, 87th),
Miyuki Yanagita, Kozue Ando (Karina Maruyama, 85th), Yukari Kinga (Kyoko Yano, 73rd),
Azusa Iwashimizu, Homare Sawa, Aya Miyama, Mizuho Sakaguchi, Shinobu Ohno (Ayumi Hara,
65th), Yuki Nagasato. Coach, Norio Sasaki.

Australia — Lydia Williams (Melissa Barbieri, ht), Brooke Spence, Clare Polkinghorne,
Kim Carroll, Heather Garriock, Amy Chapman (Joanne Burgess, 67th), Lauren Colthorpe,
Danielle Small (Servet Uzunlar, 67th), Caitlin Munoz, Lisa De Vanna (Leena Khamis, 78th),
Kathryn Gill (Kyah Simon, 78th). Coach, Tom Sermanni

Goals — Homare Sawa (43), Yuki Nagasato (47), Karina Maruyama（86） for Japan

Cautions — Caitlin Munoz (Australia)

Expulsions — None

Attendance — 9,195

Referee — Kim Sook Hee (Korea Republic)