Norway Stun World Champions Japan in Algarve Cup

Japan 0 : 2 Norway

By Kara McDermott

Around the same time last year, Japan opened group play of the Algarve Cup with a 2-1 win over Norway. This year, on the same grass in south Portugal, the tide shifted the other way as a strong Nordic team answered back with a 2-0 victory that sets them up for a good group position and leaves the current World Cup champions in doubt of cup contention.

Japan is a team that has struggled off the starting block and today, with a strong Parchal breeze at their back, that proved to be deadly. Within the first ten minutes of play, Norway was on the board off of a tenacious dribbling run on the left side from Caroline Hansen in the 8th minute.

A short time later in the 15th minute, Norway struck again from the left side. Ada Hegerberg slid into a deep cross to volley past goalkeeper Fubuki Kuno. At just 17, Hederberg has already proven herself an offensive powerhouse. In her last season with Stabeck she played in 23 matches and scored 28 goals.

Despite the penetration of the Norwegians down Japan’s right side, it was their left that they chose to change around the 30th minute. Outside midfielder Megumi Takase replaced Mari Kawamura and likewise outside defender Yuka Kado was swapped for fresh legs from Aya Sameshima.

Fresh legs seemed to be a problem as a normaly sprightly Japanese line looked lethargic until the last ten minutes of play when Nahomi Kawasumi finally provided some spark to the offense.

She continued to push deep into Norwegian territory in the second half and was one of the most visible players, but ultimately could not turn the game around for her team.

Norway’s coach Even Pellerud certainly noticed the different in the second half, commenting in the post-game conference that the “possession game in second half was mainly Japan.”

Looking forward in the tournament against a continued tough schedule against Germany and Denmark, he was quick to mention the improvement in possession and decision making that would be necessary to continue the win’s momentum.

As usual though, the Japanese could not be faulted for technical ability. T

heir skill in tight spaces and move out of marked areas with quick, close touches and passes is unparalleled. However, their attempts at through balls failed to get their forwards behind Norway’s defensive line, being matched in speed and outmatched in physicality.

As the clock ran down on the Rising Sun, dueling chants from both sides echoed out from the stands. To the last, Norway was making dangerous plays on the goal, but had to be satisfied with the two goals and a clean sheet for Ingrid Hjelmseth.

Norway will next play Denmark on Friday March 8 before ending group play against Germany on Monday. Japan will play thus first play Germany in a must-win on Friday and finish with Denmark.