Japan are bidding to become only the second side in history to successfully defend their Women’s World Cup crown and they began their 2015 campaign in less than convincing style as they edged past debutants Switzerland.
Switzerland, ranked 19th in the world, began confidently. Ramona Bachmann led the Swiss attack, the Rosengard forward dazzling the crowds with her skills, but failing to open up the solid Asian defence.
The champions stepped up the pressure as the first half developed and earned themselves a penalty on the half hour mark. As Kozue Ando collided with Swiss keeper Gaelle Thalmann. The referee duly pointed to the spot and branded a yellow card for Thalmann as Aya Miyama prepared herself to coolly slot home the resulting spot kick to give the Japanese the lead.
Underdogs Switzerland kept fighting and in Bachmann they had a constant threat. The 24 year old shot narrowly wide on the stroke of half time after cutting in from the left with lightning speed.
Bachmann produced another moment of magic shortly after the break, skipping past three Japanese defenders and the keeper before losing her footing and allowing the defence to recover.
Japan might have doubled their lead late in the second half when Yuika Sugasawa’s curling effort came back off the post but again it was Bachmann who had the last, and arguably the best, chance to level the match when she volleyed clean over from inside the box after Japan failed to clear their lines.
That said, the holders held on to secure a first win of the 2015 Women’s World Cup and join Cameroon at the top of Group C after the African side thrashed Ecuador 6-0 earlier in the day.
Japanese coach Norio Sasaki was pleased to get the victory, despite their below-par performance. “We expected to be put under immense pressure at the start of the match. Although we have the team and style needed for controlled play,” he said.
“We struggled to implement our game plan. We can keep the ball well, and I told my players that they should let it run for as long as possible, but their play was too direct.”
Debutants Switzerland proved more than capable of competing on the world stage and the performance pleased their German coach Martina Voss-Tecklenburg.
“Although we lost, we’ve got to look ahead and build on what we did well today. We proved that we’re a good side and made it clear how motivated we are, and that’s the most important thing for me. I can’t blame my players at all.”
