West Ham United defender Risa Shimizu was on target as Japan defeated Norway 3-1 this morning in a FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023 round of 16 tie.
The 27-year-old netted Japan’s second goal, helping her country to take another step towards becoming world champions.
Japan established a 15th-minute lead thanks to an own goal from the unfortunate Ingrid Engen. She got on the end of a Hinata Miyazawa cross but she couldn’t divert the ball to safety and instead found the back of her own net.
Norway responded and Chelsea’s Guro Reiten powered the ball home from a cross to make it 1-1 with just 20 minutes gone.
Japan re-established their lead early in the second half when West Ham United full-back Shimizu took advantage of some sloppy Norwegian play to fire the ball into the net from inside of the area.
It was game over nine minutes from time when Miyazawa expertly finished off a swift Japanese counter attack to make it 3-1.
Norway did have one chance to pull a goal back late in the game but Karina Sævik saw her header superbly saved by Japanese goalkeeper Ayaka Yamashita.
Japan will now face either the United States or Sweden in the quarter-finals on Friday morning.
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