Japan dominates Canada at FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup

MADGAON, India — Japan dominated Canada en route to a 4-0 win at the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup on Saturday, dropping the Canadians to the bottom of Pool D.

Mao Kubota, Uno Shiragaki, Momoko Tanikawa and Mio Takaoka scored for Japan in a lopsided contest at Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. The win sent Japan (2-0-0) into the quarterfinals with one pool game, against France (0-1-1), to come.

To continue at the tournament, Canada (0-1-1) must beat Tanzania (1-1-0) in its final opening-round game Tuesday in Navi Mumbai and hope Japan beats or ties France. Should Canada and France both win, it would come down to goal difference, with the French currently at minus-one and Canada minus-four.

Debutante Tanzania upset France 2-1 early Saturday.

The top two teams in each of the four groups advance to the quarterfinals.

Canada tied France 1-1 in its opening match Wednesday with substitute Annabelle Chukwu scoring in the 67th minute. Japan blanked Tanzania 4-0.

Japan outshot Canada 27-7 (13-0 in shots on target), had 10 corners to Canada's three and had 63 per cent possession.

With Japan leading 3-0, Colombian referee Maria Victoria Daza awarded a penalty in the dying moments after going to the pitchside monitor to review a challenge by Ella Ottey on Takaoka. But Canadian goalkeeper Coralie Lallier got a hand to Takaoka's 92nd-minute spot kick which then bounced away off the crossbar.

Takaoka put the rebound in but was initially judged to have fouled the 'keeper. The goal was reinstated after another video review.

Japan showed its skill early, quickly moving the ball around the field. And it went ahead in the ninth minute, profiting when Canada could no clear the ball from its own end.

After Renee Watson was dispossessed, Ai