Miyazawa strikes again as Japan beat Norway to reach World Cup quarter-finals

05.08.2023 - 11:39 thenationalnews.com

Hinata Miyazawa scored her fifth goal of the Women's World Cup on Saturday to seal a 3-1 win over Norway and put Japan into the quarter-finals against Sweden or holders the United States.

In a last-16 clash in Wellington between two former champions, an Ingrid Syrstad Engen own-goal gave Japan an early lead in front of 33,000 fans.

Norway hit back with a brilliant Guro Reiten header to make it 1-1 at half-time. The Norwegian defence buckled in the face of constant Japanese pressure when defender Risa Shimizu put her side back into the lead before Miyazawa struck again.

The 23-year-old is now the tournament's top scorer. The 2011 champions Japan had breezed into the last 16 with an immaculate three wins, chalking up 11 goals without reply in the group stages.

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FIFA president Gianni Infantino said on Friday that women should "pick the right fights" to "convince us men what we have to do" to bring equality to football. Infantino was speaking in Sydney ahead of the Women's World Cup final on Sunday between Spain and England. "I say to all the women -- and you know I have four daughters, so I have a few at home -- that you have the power to change," he told FIFA's Women's Football Convention, to tepid applause. "Pick the right battles. Pick the right fights.

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Former Ballon d'Or winner Ada Hegerberg led the backlash against Gianni Infantino on Friday after the FIFA president said women need to «pick the right battles» and «convince men» to enforce change.

Indian GM Vidit Gujrathi Shocks Ian Nepomniachtchi, Reaches World Cup Quarter-finals

Indian Grandmaster Vidit Gujrathi on Monday stunned Russian GM Ian Nepomniachtchi via the tie-breaker to reach the quarterfinals of the FIDE Chess World Cup in Baku (Azerbaijan). He defeated Nepomniachtchi 2-0 in the 10-minute rapid segment of the tie-break to qualify for the quarterfinals for a second time. Gujrathi joins a trio of fellow Indians -- D Gukesh, R Praggnanandhaa and Arjun Erigaisi -- in the last eight, a first for the country. Gujrathi and Nepomniachtchi had drawn the two-game classical match and the two tie-break games. He will meet Nijat Abasov of Azerbaijan in the quarterfinals.

Indian GM Vidit Gujrathi Shocks Ian Nepomniachtchi, Reaches World Cup Quarter-finals

England Scrape Past Nigeria On Penalties To Reach World Cup Quarter-Final

England scraped into the quarter-finals of the Women's World Cup when they beat Nigeria 4-2 on penalties in Brisbane on Monday. Despite Nigeria having the better of the chances, the European Champions -- reduced to 10 players after 87 minutes -- snuck home in front of 50,000 spectators after the match had finished 0-0 at the end of extra time. England held on after playmaker Lauren James received a red card for a needless stamp and will know they have to improve if they want to add the World Cup to their European crown.

Australia Reach World Cup Quarter-Finals As Sam Kerr Makes Comeback

Sam Kerr came off the bench as Australia surged into the Women's World Cup quarter-finals with a 2-0 win over Denmark in front of nearly 76,000 fans in Sydney on Monday. The co-hosts will play France or Morocco on Saturday in Brisbane in the last eight after making fairly light work of a toothless Denmark. To cap a good night's work for the Matildas, talismanic striker and captain Kerr came on with 10 minutes left to huge cheers for her first action of the tournament after a calf injury. The dangerous Caitlin Foord terrorised Denmark throughout and scored a fine first after being set up by Mary Fowler on 29 minutes. Hayley Raso grabbed a second to make the game safe 20 minutes from time.