Every game at the FIFA Women's World Cup carries a weight of importance and Japan-England is no different, especially given both teams must subsequently face holders Germany. With that test to come, they will each view this second Group A as a must-win affair.
Although neither country boasts a record of achievement in FIFA
Women's World Cups, the presence of two impressive casts of
players has left both sets of supporters confident that their
fortunes could change on Chinese soil. In order for this to
transpire, however, victory at the Shanghai Hongkou Football
Stadium would appear imperative.
The players
Japan will be looking to playmaker Homare Sawa for
inspiration in attack but their defensive preparations have not
been helped by doubts over the availability of Kyoko Yano, who was
unable to train in the build-up to the game because of a stomach
problem. For their part, England are expected to be at full
strength, with Kelly Smith ready to underline why she is one of the
most talked-about talents in the women's game.
The match
Japan-England, Shanghai, 11 September, 20:00 (local time)
The stakes
Having reach the world finals for the first time since 1995,
England will be determined to make a flying start to their China
2007 campaign. Japan are out to end a record of six losses from six
matches against European sides in FIFA Women's World Cups, a
run in which they have failed to score.
The past
Japan will locks horns with England at the FIFA
Women's World Cup finals for the very first time on 11
September.
The words
England are a big, physical team but we will try to
beat them with our speed and dribbling skills and trying to find
space behind defenders. As a team we think we have to win this game
if we want to get out of the group -
Shinobu Ohno, Japan forward
They are a good side and it will be a tough game, but
we're not going to be too concerned about them. We need to go
out there and play our own game. We've progressed so much
recently that we have come here confident in ourselves -
Faye White, England defender
