FIFA Women’s World Cup: Classy Japan cruise to win against Costa Rica

At Dunedin Stadium: Japan 2 (Hikaru Naomoto 25’, Aoba Fujino 27’) Costa Rica 0. HT: 2-0.

Group C points (games played): Japan 6 (2), Spain 3 (1), Costa Rica 0 (2), Zambia 0 (1),

Japan showed why they could be contenders to repeat their 2011 World Cup triumph with a 2-0 victory against Costa Rica, a result that all but booked them a spot in the round of 16.

While other sides have struggled to find their attacking mojo at this tournament, Japan have now scored seven goals in their first two games, without conceding any.

They will face tougher opposition than Costa Rica and Zambia, but in front of 6992 fans in chilly Dunedin on Wednesday they sent a reminder to the rest of the tournament that they can’t be overlooked.

Indeed, they could have easily scored three or four more goals in a one-sided game that highlighted their crisp passing and fitness levels.

It was clear from the outset that Japan’s movement off the ball was going to test Costa Rica, and it took two fine saves from goalkeeper Daniela Solera to keep the No 11-ranked team in the world from taking the lead in the early stages.

With the outstanding Mina Tanaka – who scored in Japan’s 5-0 rout of Zambia in their opening match – pulling the strings up front, Japan were in complete control.

It was no surprise, therefore, when Hikaru Naomoto fired them into the lead in the 25th minute with a sharp finish.

Aoba Fujino doubled the lead just two minutes later when she beat Solera at the near post, and suddenly Costa Rica were looking at a mountain to climb.

Tanaka, Naumoto and Fujino formed a sharp attacking trio and Costa Rica could never get to grips with Tanaka’s ability to play in between the lines. Tanaka was replaced after 59 minutes, with Japan likely having one eye on their final group-stage clash with Spain in Wellington.

Costa Rica also struggled in possession, with Japanese captain Saki Kumagai showing her class and strength at the heart of the Japanese defence.

After taking a 2-0 lead into the break, Japan continued to press in the second half. If there was one concern for them, it was their failure to really put Costa Rica away, as they missed several chances in the second 40 minutes.

Some of the sting went out of the contest, although Costa Rica defender Fabiola Villalobos almost scored a spectacular own goal after Solera collided with substitute Riko Ueki and the ball bounced towards the Costa Rica goal.

Attempting to clear the danger, Villalobos took an almighty swing at the ball but misjudged it and was relieved to see it flying narrowly over the crossbar.

Costa Rica finished the game with a booking for Priscilla Chinchilla after a blatant hair-pulling incident, which seemed to sum up their frustrations after spending most of the evening without the ball.