Japan became the first team in qualify for the Round of 16 of the Women's World Cup, and it will look to become the first team to finish off a perfect nine-point sweep of a group on Tuesday when it tangles with overmatched Ecuador.
ODDS ANALYSIS
Considering the fact that Ecuador was a 3.5-goal underdog against Switzerland on Friday night, the spread in this match is probably going to be every bit as big, if not bigger. Granted, the South American side isn't the worst in this tournament, but without a point from this match, something which seems improbable, either it or the Ivory Coast will finish as the worst team to come to Canada.
It should be remembered though, that Japan has little to play for, though finishing with the best overall mark in the opening round of the tournament is still up for grabs.
QUOTE TO NOTE
"What this defeat shows me is that Switzerland are capable of competing with the very best, unlike us. I've also learned that it's difficult for us to maintain the level we showed during the first 30 minutes because of our lack of experience… This is a low for us, but the goal we scored shows me that the work we're doing counts for now and the future, even if it didn't give us any hope in the match itself." – Ecuador manager Vanessa Arauz on the struggles against Switzerland on Friday
RECENT FORM
Poor Ecuador just continues to get taken behind the shed and beaten badly in this tournament. The South American side has been overmatched by both Cameroon and Switzerland, and the two matches featured a combined 16 goals allowed. The World Cup just shouldn't be played to margins like that no matter what the chasm is between the two teams on the pitch in terms of talent.
The Japanese had to scratch and claw to get their six points in two matches, but they did the job and now have a guaranteed spot in the next round with the Group C title essentially wrapped up. The wins have been close though, as they have each come by one-goal margins.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
Japan was much better against Cameroon than a 2-1 final suggests, and it dominated large chunks of the match against Switzerland as well.
We expect to see a lot of the reserves for Japan playing in this match, which means we could see names like Yuri Kawamura, Asano Nagasato, Kana Kitahara and Mana Iwabuchi, none of which have all that many caps for their country. This would be a perfect opportunity to get some good training on the pitch against live competition.
The fact of the matter is that all of the stats have really gone heavily against Ecuador. The team allowed 24 shots against Switzerland, 13 of which were on target, and they were outdone 13-3 in terms of corners as well.
Still, given our druthers, we would rather have the goals on our side, knowing that Japan isn't interested in running roughshod in this game. Whereas Cameroon was trying to create history by becoming the first African team to win its first match of the Women's World Cup and Switzerland was looking for its first ever win in this tournament, Japan has nothing left to prove. Three points will be enough for the Samurai Blue in this one.
Japan 3, Ecuador 0
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