Nadeshiko Japan took on Brazil at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff with a semi-final place against France at stake and were almost ahead inside the first minute after good work from Ohno ended with a superb volley that forced a reaction save from the keeper.
After that bright start, Japan were under the cosh as Brazil ruled the game for 15 minutes or so, winning a string of corners, but being held at bay by the Nadeshiko defence. Then Japan got into the game and started to dictate the passage of play a little more while Brazil resorted to some thuggery and cynicism, which the referee was equal to. An elbow to the back of the head for Sameshima, then a late tackle on the same player were both punished, while a whack in the face to Sawa, saw a quick free kick taken by Japan’s elder stateswoman which fed Ohgimi, who advanced a slotted past the goalkeeper with aplomb. A well-deserved 1-0 lead for Nadeshiko.
Heading up to the goal in the 27th minutel, Japan had shown glimpses of what was to come with one attack seeing Kawasumi, Ohgimi and Sawa all having efforts blocked, before Ohno blazed over, and moments later a fine passage of play saw Miyama curl a left-footer inches wide of the far post after leaving her defender for dead with a fine turn.
The game approached half time with Brazil attacking fast, but being repelled, while Japan were playing the ball up the field patiently and looking for chances. Brazil had been guilty of more fouls – notably from Cristiane – but the referee was not missing much and Brazil were not being allowed to force their way back into the game illegally. Half time, 1-0!
The 2nd half began with Japan dictating the play and Brazil becoming physical again, but the referee soon pulled out the yellow card for the captain, Marta. Up front Thais was also getting noticeably upset that she wasn’t getting away with her fouls, due to smart play from the officials and an ever-smiling Assistant Referee who missed nothing. Meanwhile, Sakaguchi, in the Japan defence, also picked up a yellow card in the 57th minute, trying to correct an uncharacteristic mistake, after giving the ball away, and a free kick in a dangerous area went just wide of the post.
As the hour mark passed Brazil started to gain in possession and confidence and a left wing cross was headed just over by Cristiane, although the keeper had it covered, but just when they seemed under pressure again Japan broke and Ohgimi was denied, albeit by three defenders after the keeper was lucky to not give away a PK – the men’s game would surely have seen the attacker fall! Indeed, in the run-up to the play, Kawasumi was tugged back, also, but the Japanese forward had no complaints, and stayed on her feet to create the chance.
In the 70th minute Kawasumi broke free as Brazil poured forward and was taken out on the half way line by a brutal challenge from Bruna, which brought a deserved yellow and could well have been a red if it had, perhaps been closer to goal, or if the referee had stuck to the letter of the law – Bruna definitely denied a goalscoring opportunity however high up the field it was. Moments later Thais was at it again, pushing Iwashimizu into the keeper dangerously as Brazil got frustrated by an organised Japan, but justice soon followed as a quick deep cross from the left wing by Kawasumi freed Ohno, who twisted her defender before rifling a left foot shot in off the bar! 2-0, and less than 20 minutes to go.
But now, as Brazil went down further, the physical play increased but the referee let a couple of dangerous challenges go when it was really the time to send a message, but Japan did not let it affect their play and started to find more space as Brazil looked for a goal.
Coach Suzuki chose to replace Ohno with Ando with five minutes to play – fresh legs in the midfield battle, and soon after that, Takase took Ohgimi’s place as Japan took control of the final minutes as Brazil’s time at London 2012 ticked away. The additional time of two minutes saw the Japanese ladies run themselves into the ground, ensuring that Brazil had little time on the ball and were able to create nothing. It was a job well done, Brazil 0-2 Japan – and a well-deserved semi-final place for Nadeshiko Japan against France!!
