On Monday 27 June, three days following their match against the Serbia Women’s National Team, the Nadeshiko Japan (Japan Women’s National Team) faced the Finland Women’s National Team in an international friendly match held in Turku, Finland. Entering the second match of the two-game series held in Europe, Head Coach IKEDA Futoshi made six changes to their starting line-up, with SUGASAWA Yuika, ENDO Jun, MIURA Narumi, MIYAZAWA Hinata, MIYAKE Shiori, and TAKAHASHI Hana getting the start.
The two teams, with very different styles of play, clashed early on. Despite conceding a freekick at the beginning of the match, Japan managed to defend against it, and started to gain momentum following the long-range shot taken by Miyazawa. The Japanese side took the lead in the 13th minute, when the cross sent by Endo induced an own goal.
However, just five minutes later, Adelina ENGMAN carried the ball all the way from her own territory before scoring the equaliser from the edge of the box. With both sides showing great intensity, the match entered halftime tied 1-1. .....
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