Spain and Japan enter the knockout stage
While reaching the pre-quarterfinals, the Asian countries Japan defeated Costa Rica and Spain defeated Zimbabwe.
KATHMANDU: Spain and Japan have entered the knockout stage of the Women’s World Cup.
Both teams entered the last 16 of the World Cup by winning the Group C match of the ongoing tournament in Australia and New Zealand on Wednesday.
While reaching the pre-quarterfinals, the Asian countries Japan defeated Costa Rica and Spain defeated Zimbabwe.
Spain took the lead in the ninth minute of the game with Teresa Abeleira’s goal. Jennifer Hermoso doubled Spain’s lead in the 13th minute with a header. Alba Redondo scored the third goal in the 69th minute.
Hermoso scored her second solo goal soon after, giving Spain a 4-0 advantage. Redonda scored his second personal goal 5 minutes before the end of the game, giving Spain a 5-0 win.
Japan defeated Costa Rica 2-0 in the next match. Hikaru Naomoto’s goal in the 25th minute of the game gave Japan the lead. Japan won 2-0 after Aoba Fujino scored in the 27th minute. While scoring, both players made effective use of Tanaka’s pass.
Spain and Japan gained the same 6 points with a great victory in the second match of the group stage. Both teams will participate in the group winner’s final match. Costa Rica and Zambia, both losers in Wednesday’s encounter, have been eliminated from the competition.
