A 5th minute goal from former Chelsea striker Yuki Ogimi was enough to guarantee the current world champions, Japan, top spot in Group C and set up a last 16 tie against one of the best 3rd placed teams.
Japan were expected to ease past Ecuador, who had already conceded 16 goals in their first two group matches but the South Americans were much improved and limited the world’s 4th best team to just one goal.
That said, Ecuador will have feared another demolition when they fell behind after just 5 minutes, Aya Miyama stretching to reach a deep cross and Ogimi seeming to get the last touch ahead of teammate Angie Ponce as the ball cannoned in off the bar.
But to their credit Ecuador regrouped and were able to keep the Japanese at bay, largely in part to an inspired performance from goalkeeper Shirley Berruz, who was forced into an outstanding save from Miyama’s close range header after some great skill from Saori Ariyoshi.
Japan continued to dominate possession in the first half whilst Ecuador pushed forward on occasion but lacked the final clinical ball to really create any chances of their own.
Their best opportunity, however, came on 65 minutes when Monica Quinteros beat Yuri Kawamura with ease out wide and sent in a dangerous low cross, which was only prevented from being tapped in by Kerlly Real by a strong Megumi Kaminobe sliding tackle.
The Nadeshiko were repeatedly frustrated in front of goal also as they tried and failed to increase their advantage in the second half. Yuika Sugasawa came closest when her acrobatic overhead kick looped onto the cross bar with ten minutes remaining.
Berruz then produced one final stop to keep the scoreline the same, getting a strong palm to the ball to block Mama Iwabuchi’s point-blank shot, restoring some pride to the Ecuador side.
The narrow defeat, following such heavy losses, was an excellent way for the South American’s to finish their first World Cup tournament and their 26 year-old coach Vanessa Arauz believes the future is bright for Ecuadorian women’s football.
“Despite the two previous routs we suffered, we showed why we deserved to be here. We earned our qualification and we have defended the honour of our country. We’ll take this experience and continue to develop women’s football in Ecuador.”
Japan finished the group stages with a 100% record and will face one of the best 3rd place sides in the last 16.
