On Wednesday 11 March, the Nadeshiko Japan (Japan Women’s National Team) played their third match of the 2020 SheBelieves Cup against the USA Women’s National Team, where they lost 1-3 to finish the tournament in fourth place.

In their third and final match of the tournament, coach TAKAKURA Asako started MIYAKE Shiori and DOKO Mayo as fullbacks, after the two defenders played as centre backs in the second match, while striker TANAKA Mina also started as the right side half on this day. Japan showed effective line-control in the early minutes of the match, but conceded in the seventh minute, when the MVP and Golden Boot winner of FIFA Women’s World Cup France 2019™, Megan RAPINOE, converted a free kick to give USA the lead.

After conceding the opening goal, Japan collected the ball to their striker SUGASAWA Yuika to seek for their opportunity to equalise the match, but it was once again the home side who scored the next goal. USA doubled their lead in the 26th minute, when Japanese goalkeeper YAMASHITA Ayaka’s pass was intercepted by Rapinoe, setting up the brilliantly executed lob-shot taken by Christen PRESS......

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