Japan face defending champions Spain In mouth-watering quarterfinal clash

Margao: The defending champions up against the might of the favourites. European giants clashing with an Asian powerhouse.
Japan’s mouth-watering quarterfinal encounter against Spain at the Nehru Stadium in Fatorda on Saturday may have come early in the tournament, but for 90 minutes, this has the potential to be one of the better matches at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
Japan have been the most impressive side in the competition, scoring ten goals, conceding none, and winning all three of its group games with considerable ease. Kano Michihisa’s side has sailed through rather comfortably with Momoko Tanikawa and Miharu Shinjo calling the shots.
While Momoko has scored three goals in as many matches to lead the goal-scoring charts and looks in dangerous form, Miharu has won two Player of the Match awards in as many matches.
Spain, though, will provide them with the biggest test.
Starting off with a solitary goal win against Colombia, the defending champions were pegged back by Mexico who won 2-1. With all four teams having collected three points each before the last round of matches, there was considerable pressure on Spain but La Rojita’s weathered the China storm to win 1-0 and book a place in the last-eight stage of the competition.
Colombia, though, took the top spot in group C, leaving Spain to battle Japan in the quarterfinals.
“We are delighted,” Spain centre-back Marina Artero, who scored the only goal of the match against China, told FIFA after the win. “It was a very difficult game and one we had to win to qualify. Personally, I’m thrilled I could help the team and that we’re through to the quarter-finals. We are delighted.”
Spain have not always qualified for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup. They missed out in 2008 and 2012, but in four of the last five editions, La Rojita’s have returned home with a medal which includes two bronze (2010, 2016), a silver (2014) and a famous gold in 2018.
"The fact is that the players we have in the Spain team are getting better and better," said attacking midfielder Vicky Lopez. "That’s why we are winning big tournaments, besides the coaches’ gameplans and the desire we all have to play for our country."
Despite Spain’s ambition and quality, it won’t be easy against Japan, a team that has made its presence felt at every edition and already have a gold and two silver medals in their cabinet.