Brazil and Japan kicked off match day 2 in the Paris 2024 Olympics women’s football. Brazil earned three points during their first match against Nigeria. Japan was defeated by Spain, so they needed the points desperately. Brazil changed a big part of their Starting IX, while Japan kept it very similar to match day 1. Japan did lose Shimizu during the game against Spain. She was sent back home to Manchester City. This was match was a joy to watch. Read our Match Report Brazil vs Japan and find out who won.
Slow start with battles on the midfield
Lauren from Brazil started the match with a yellow card within two minutes after she fouled Tanaka Mina. A quiet start to the first half. Japan has their defense set up excellent again is dangerous at times. Brazil has more ball possession but struggles to reach Japan’s box. Brazil tried to build from the back but Japan was in the right spaces at the right time. Their midfield made important interceptions to set up their attacks. Yasmin and Antonia are almost invisible during the first ten minutes. The ball goes through the midfield most of the time.
Brazil and Japan were extremely passionate. This resulted in many duels and small fouls. Brazil is known for their ability to play the ball around and create their chances. Japan was not having any of that today. Two equal opponents, which made watching the match very interesting. Brazil’s high pressure earned them the first chance. Yasmin was able to get the cross towards Priscila but Japan intervened in time. It turned around quickly after that as Japan had their first real chance. Miyazawa’s cross reached Tanaka but her shot goes wide. That would have been something.
Opportunities for both teams
After twenty minutes the match is still mainly played on the midfield. The left wing from Brazil gets some action, but most passes go through the midfield. Japan had to defend their first corner-kick. Rafaelle got dangerously close to a header, but the ball went wide. So far Japan had the biggest opportunity with Miyazawa and Tanaka.
It lacks attempts on goal in the first thirty minutes. Japan manages to get away from Brazil’s pressure every once in a while and immediately sets up their attack. They do this well. Tanaka Mina was looking for space to shoot, but eventually passed the ball way too far ahead of her and it went outside the lines. Goalkeeper Lorena got injured when she went for Tanaka’s ball. She did get up and seemed fine.
Missed opportunity by Tanaka
Brazil was hunting for a mistake from Japan and they got it near Japan’s box. Brazil was not able to profit from this situation and it was Japan that countered quickly. They got the cross to Hasegawa, who was in front of goalkeeper Lorena, but there was no power behind her shot. The Brazilian goalkeeper could clean up easily.
Last minutes of the first half were filled with chances for both Japan and Brazil. Marta got a yellow card for a foul on Minami Moeka. She stepped on her foot. Martha complained at the referee Rebecca Welch as it was her first foul she claimed. Before halftime, Japan received a penalty. Moriya Miyabi her shot was blocked by the arm of Rafaelle. Tanaka got behind the ball, but her shot was terrible and an easy save for Lorena.
Match Report Brazil vs Japan – Half-time stats:
- 8 shots for Japan – 2 on target.
- 3 shots for Brazil – 1 on target
- 9 fouls by Brazil | 6 fouls by Japan
- 58% Brazil | 42% Japan
The second half starts the same
The first five are almost identical to the first half: more possession for Brazil but they have not solved the Japanese defense puzzle yet. The first corner kick leads to nothing as Japan clears it.
In the 56th minute, the score is finally opened. The attack started with a formidable pass from Marta, one only she could make. It finds Ludmila and her pass finds Jheniffer who clears the Japanese defense and attempts on goal. Yamashita did not manage to save the shot. This gives Brazil the lead after almost an hour of play. Japan nearly made their comeback when Tanaka attempted at goal, but Rafaelle was in the way. It resulted in a corner kick for Japan that was cleared by Lorena.
The next opportunity was for Japan. The cross reached Tanaka who hit the ball from the air. Beautiful attempt at goal and saved by Lorena. In the second half, you could see both teams grew in the game. Both were more aware of the spaces, the duels got less and the excitement only became more. With 20 minutes of regular playing time Japan made some substitutions: Koga Toko out and Seike Kiko in. Losing this match would be detrimental for Japan.
Phenomal last quarter
The last 10 minutes of the official time we were on the edge of our seat. Brazil started to do what it does best: waste time during fouls, throw-ins and any other opportunity they got. Japan decided to switch it up some more. Two fresh players came in: Chiba Remina and Tanikawa Momoko. Japan keeps trying, creating in the box but most shots are off target. With 5 minutes of regular time left Marta was subbed off, Kerolin came on in her place. She received great applause from the audience.
After some treatment for one of Brazil’s players it was time for the final minutes. Japan managed to keep Brazil on their own half of the pitch, launching attack after attack. A VAR review blew new life in the match. They spotted a possible handball and Rebecca Welch deemed it worthy enough of a penalty. The first one was taken by Tanaka, which was saved by Lorena. This time Saki did it for Japan. She scored the penalty. This keeps the Olympic dream alive for Japan. But there are 8 minutes of added time to survive before that final whistle.
The equalizer was not enough for Japan. Tanikawa scored the 2-1 after goalkeeper Lorena was too far of her line. A goal that could earn Goal of the Olympics 2024 if it was up to us. The win over Brazil puts Japan on the second place in Group C. Just behind Spain, who already qualified. If Japan wins from Nigeria they secure a ticket. Nigeria is also a team with a formidable defense. They kept Spain at bay for most of the match today. It will be interesting to see how Japan will handle that. Match day 3 is on the 31st of July. Check out the schedule here.
This was our Match Report Brazil vs Japan.
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