Late Strikes Lift Japan to 3-1 Win vs. Brazil at 2019 SheBelieves Cup

Japan defeated Brazil 3-1 in the second match for both teams at the 2019 SheBelieves Cup at Nissan Stadium in Nashville.

By: U.S. SoccerMarch 2, 2019

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (March 2, 2019) – Japan defeated Brazil 3-1 in the second match for both teams at the 2019 SheBelieves Cup.

Japan opened scoring in the 44^th minute after Emi Nakajima latched onto a lofted pass outside the penalty area. Nakajima played a short pass forward to Yuka Momiki, whose left-footed chip sailed perfectly over Brazilian goalkeeper Aline for the opener. It was Momiki’s eighth goal in 23 caps.

Debinha equalized for Brazil in the 57^th minute after Japan failed to clear the ball after a scramble in the box. The ball fell to the Brazilian striker who drove her right-footed shot through traffic to draw Brazil level at 1-1.

Japan pulled ahead in the 81^st minute after Momiki received the ball on the right flank and sent a one-time cross to Rikako Kobayashi at the far post for her to head home. It was Kobayashi’s first goal in just her second cap.

Momiki again played helper in the 85^th minute after she latched on to a failed clearance and fed the ball to Yui Hasegawa. After receiving the ball, Hasegawa cut inside, sending her defender the wrong way, and blasted her left-footed shot into goal from 12 yards out to give Japan the 3-1 victory. The goal marked Hasegawa’s fifth goal in 32 caps.

Though Brazil poured on the pressure in the second half and out-shot Japan 23 to 11 for the match, winning six corner kicks to Japan’s one, Japan converted three of its six shots on target for the win. In the 2-2 tie with the USA on Feb. 27, Japan converted its only two shots on goal.

The match was the opening game of the doubleheader, the second of which featured the United States vs. England.

The SheBelieves Cup concludes on Tuesday, March 5 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla., with Japan vs. England (5:15 p.m. ET on ussoccer.com) followed by the USA vs. Brazil (8 p.m. ET on FS1).

– 2019 SheBelieves Cup Match Report –

Match: Brazil vs. Japan
Date: March 2, 2019
Competition: 2019 SheBelieves Cup
Venue: Nissan Stadium; Nashville, Tenn.
Kickoff: 1 p.m. CT
Attendance:12,586
Weather: 43 degrees; Cloudy

Scoring Summary: 1          2          F
BRA                             0          1          1
JPN                             1          2          3

JPN – Yuka Momiki (Emi Nakajima)                          44^th minute
BRA – Debinha                                                           57
JPN – Rikako Kobayashi (Yuka Momiki)                   81
JPN – Yui Hasegawa (Yuka Momiki)                         85

Lineups:
BRA: 12-Aline, 2-Leticia S., 4-Erika, 6-Tamires, 7-Andressa, 8-Formiga, 9-Debinha, 10-Marta (capt.), 11-Adriana (18-Geyse, 58), 16-Beatriz (20-Raquel, 77), 21-Monica
Substitutes: 1-Letica, 22-Luciana, 3-Jucinara, 5-Thaisa, 13-Tayla, 14-Kathellen, 15-Poliana, 17-Juliana, 19-Ludmila, 23-Luana
Head coach: Oswaldo Alvarez “Vadão”

JPN: 21-Erina Yamane, 2-Rumi Utsugi (9-Hina Sugita, 67), 6-Saori Ariyoshi (3-Aya Sameshima, 58), 7-Emi Nakajima (capt.), 8-Moeno Sakaguchi (19-Jun Endo, 58), 12-Risako Oga, 13-Mayu Ikejiri (14-Yui Hasegawa, 58), 15-Yuka Momiki, 20-Kumi Yokoyama (11-Rikako Kobayashi, 58), 23-Moeka Minami, 24-Asato Miyagawa
Substitutes: 1-Rei Takenaka, 16-Arisa Matsubara, 17-Narumi Miura, 22-Risa Shimizu
Head coach: Asako Takakura

Stats Summary: BRA / JPN
Shots: 22/ 11
Shots on Goal: 5 / 6
Saves: 3 / 4
Corner Kicks: 6 / 1
Fouls: 9 / 4
Offside: 3 / 4

Misconduct Summary:
None

Officials:
Referee: Karen Abt (USA)
Assistant Referee 1: Brooke Mayo (USA)
Assistant Referee 2: Deleana Quan (USA)
4th Official: Christina Unkel (USA)

2019 SheBelieves Cup Standings