The Brazilian women’s soccer team suffered a painful comeback from Japan, which countered Jheniffer Cordinali’s goal scored at the beginning of the second half with Saki Kumagai, from the penalty (m.92), and Momoko Tanikawa (m.96 ).
Brazil have qualification for the quarterfinals of Paris 2024 within reach if they beat Japan, who visited Paris needing a victory after Spain took revenge for the World Cup match with a comeback, but could not handle the ‘Nadeshiko’, who believed until the end and tied on points (3) with the Brazilians in group C.
The match started with a Brazilian team with the initiative, while Japan was comfortable and took advantage of every ball to go on the counterattack. Despite Brazil’s dominance, players led by Arthur Elias need to be more precise in the area.
The most dangerous opportunities began to arrive half an hour into the game. Angelina finished poorly and Yamashita was able to save the chance with no problem, while Tanaka headed a cross wide after a lateral foul. Gasegawa also tried, but Lorena avoided the chance.
As time approached, a handball from Rafaella in the area put Brazil, who were suffering defensively, under tension. In the 47th minute, Tanaka stood in the penalty spot and made himself smaller. The shot was weak and low, giving Lorena a chance to catch the ball and go into the break with a tie.
After going through the locker room, Arthur Elias made three changes: Jheniffer, Ludmila and Tarciane. And they worked. Marta, who was celebrating her 200th match for Brazil, took the ball in her own half, placed a precise long pass between the lines for Ludmila, who piped the ball to Jheniffer and he signed the 1-0 score in the 46th minute and kissed the shield.
Brazil had some scares with three short passes from Lorena, but Japan was unsuccessful. In the 82nd minute, Minami received the ball from a free kick, but his header also went wide.
The Japanese team did not know how to take their chances and, once again, when the game seemed over, Japan had another chance from the penalty spot, and eight minutes of added time to find victory.
Kumagai did not disappoint. The captain tricked Lorena and tied the game in the 92nd minute to salvage a point for his country. But there was still time and Tanikawa came back and sealed the comeback with a right hand, taking advantage of a mistake in Brazil’s defence.
The Japanese saw Lorena ahead of her and didn’t think to set up the madness with the Japanese team, which was in Group C of the Olympic tournament.
Brazil
12
Japanese
1 – Brazil: Lorraine; Antonia, Thais, Lauren (Tarciane, m.45), Rafaelle, Yasmin; Angelina, Victoria; Priscila (Ludmila, m.45), Gabi Nunes (Jheniffer, m.45) and Marta (Kerolin, m.85).
2 – Japan: Yamashita; Moriya (Tanikawa, m.80), Takahashi, Kumagai, Minami, Koga (Seike, m.70); Hasegawa, Nagano, Miyazawa (Chiba, m.80); Hamano (Ueki, m.57) and Tanaka.
Goals: 1-0, m.56: Jheniffer. 1-1, m.92: Kumagai. 1-2, m.96: Tanikawa
Referee: Rebecca Welch (United Kingdom). He advises Lauren and Marta on behalf of Brazil and Minami on behalf of Japan.
Incidents: Match on the second day of Group C of the 2024 Olympic Games played at the Parc des Princes in Paris.
see the match sheet
Source: La Verdad
I am Shawn Partain, a journalist and content creator working for the Today Times Live. I specialize in sports journalism, writing articles that cover major sporting events and news stories. With a passion for storytelling and an eye for detail, I strive to be accurate and insightful in my work.
