FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015 – Quarter-finals
Australia vs Japan 0-1
Commonwealth Stadium, Edmonton – Saturday, June 27
Japan needed a late goal against Australia to secure their place in the semi-finals of the Women’s World Cup Saturday afternoon.
Substitute Mana Iwabuchi scored the quarter-final match’s lone goal in the 87th minute, after a scramble in front of the Aussies’ net.
Japan celebrates Mana Iwabuchi’s goal against Australia during their quarter-final match at FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015 in Edmonton Saturday, June 26, 2015. Photo: Stuart Gradon/Total Soccer Project
Much of the match was spent in the Australian half – a point not lost on Australia’s coach.
“Clearly the better team won, even though I thought it evened out a bit after the first 20 minutes,” admitted Alen Stajcic, Australia’s manager.
“Japan were a lot more composed over the full 90 minutes. We didn’t set out to play any differently, but we just spent a lot of energy in the first 20 minutes chasing the game.”
Australia’s Samantha Kerr in action against Japan during their quarter-final match at FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015 in Edmonton Saturday, June 26, 2015. Photo: Stuart Gradon/Total Soccer Project
“Even if we didn’t get a goal within 90 minutes, I felt we would get it inside 120 minutes,” said Norio Sasaki, Japan’s coach. “The game-plan was executed very well. We recognise the growth of Australia in this World Cup and my team will take confidence from this and we can build with future success (at the tournament).”
Japan will now play either England or tournament hosts Canada, who play each other in Vancouver later Saturday.
Australia’s Samantha Kerr and Japan’s Azusa Iwashimizu take a mutual tumble during their quarter-final match at FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015 in Edmonton Saturday, June 26, 2015. Photo: Stuart Gradon/Total Soccer Project
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Australia vs Japan at FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015 in Edmonton Saturday, June 26, 2015. Photo: Stuart Gradon/Total Soccer Project
Australia vs Japan at FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015 in Edmonton Saturday, June 26, 2015. Photo: Stuart Gradon/Total Soccer Project
Australia vs Japan at FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015 in Edmonton Saturday, June 26, 2015. Photo: Stuart Gradon/Total Soccer Project
Australia vs Japan at FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015 in Edmonton Saturday, June 26, 2015. Photo: Stuart Gradon/Total Soccer Project
Australia vs Japan at FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015 in Edmonton Saturday, June 26, 2015. Photo: Stuart Gradon/Total Soccer Project
Australia vs Japan at FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015 in Edmonton Saturday, June 26, 2015. Photo: Stuart Gradon/Total Soccer Project
Australia’s Lydia Williams, left, can only watch on as Japan’s Mana Iwanbuchi scores during their quarter-final match at FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015 in Edmonton Saturday, June 26, 2015. Photo: Stuart Gradon/Total Soccer Project
Australia vs Japan at FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015 in Edmonton Saturday, June 26, 2015. Photo: Stuart Gradon/Total Soccer Project
Australia vs Japan at FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015 in Edmonton Saturday, June 26, 2015. Photo: Stuart Gradon/Total Soccer Project
Australia’s Steph Catley, left, and Japan’s Yuki Ogimi during their quarter-final match at FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015 in Edmonton Saturday, June 26, 2015. Photo: Stuart Gradon/Total Soccer Project
Australia’s Lydia William grams the ball from the air against Japan during their quarter-final match at FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015 in Edmonton Saturday, June 26, 2015. Photo: Stuart Gradon/Total Soccer Project
Australia vs Japan at FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015 in Edmonton Saturday, June 26, 2015. Photo: Stuart Gradon/Total Soccer Project
Japan’s goal scorer, Mana Iwabuchi, controls the ball against Australia during their quarter-final match at FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015 in Edmonton Saturday, June 26, 2015. Photo: Stuart Gradon/Total Soccer Project
Australia vs Japan at FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015 in Edmonton Saturday, June 26, 2015. Photo: Stuart Gradon/Total Soccer Project
Australia vs Japan at FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015 in Edmonton Saturday, June 26, 2015. Photo: Stuart Gradon/Total Soccer Project
Australia vs Japan at FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015 in Edmonton Saturday, June 26, 2015. Photo: Stuart Gradon/Total Soccer Project
Australia vs Japan at FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015 in Edmonton Saturday, June 26, 2015. Photo: Stuart Gradon/Total Soccer Project
Final whistle of Australia vs Japan at FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015 in Edmonton Saturday, June 26, 2015. Photo: Stuart Gradon/Total Soccer Project
