Japan and Scotland meet today at Roazhon Park, home of Ligue 1 Stade Rennais Football Club, which will host seven matches in total at the FIFA Women\u2019s World Cup France.<\/p>\n

Until this tournament began and records began to tumble, it still held the record for the highest attendance for a match of the French national women\u2019s team with 25.000 spectators in June 2014.<\/p>\n

Japan and Scotland last met on 14 February 2007, when Japan ran out 2-0 victors. The only other encounter between the two teams took place in the previous year and Japan were again victorious, that time by the scoreline of 4-0.<\/p>\n

Japan drew 0-0 with hitherto group underdogs Argentina, to much criticism from their local media.<\/p>\n

Kerr however was keen to play that down:<\/p>\n

“I think people are getting carried away with the fact that they’ve only got a point against Argentina.<\/p>\n

“Their movement’s incredible so our game plan changes a little bit in terms of how we combat that. We are very very respectful of their status in world football.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Asked by Japanese media, if she was under less pressure than Asako Takakura her counterpart, she showed a certain solidarity with the head coach:<\/p>\n

“In terms of their coach feeling under pressure, if you’re a coach in the World Cup and you’ve previously won it and been runners-up, you’re always going to be under pressure.<\/p>\n

“Every coach is in this tournament is under pressure, whether you’re the bottom ranked team or the top ranked team. It comes with the nature of the job.<\/p>\n

“I think sometimes that can be dangerous. It’s maybe not the best thing with Japan coming off a surprise draw against Argentina. We’re mindful of that. I think what we have to do is concentrate on our own game plan. But be mindful of the strength that Japan still pose.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The Japanese women, known as the Nadeshiko, were runners up four years ago in Vancouver. They are ranked seventh in the world. Expectations are high.<\/p>\n

Both sides suffered disappointments in their first games but of very different natures.<\/p>\n

Scotland lost 2-1 to England but played far better in the second half, having trailed 2-0 at half time. But for Japan, having failed to score against one of the weakest sides in the WWC, pressure is high especially as they finish against group seeds England.<\/p>\n

Defeat could practically end their World Cup today with Scotland under less pressure as they are still to face Argentina.<\/p>\n

Despite what Shelley Kerr says, it’s Japan Head Coach Asako Takakura who will be more likely to have had a sleepless night.<\/p>\n

The game kicks off at 14.00 in Scotland and 15.00 local time.<\/p>\n

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\n[column size=”1\/2″][blog type=”timeline” posts=”10″ cats=”211″ heading=”Womens World Cup” heading_type=”timeline” \/][\/column]
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