Falcons fall 2-0 in Japan

Women’s world champion Japan eased to
a 2-0 win over Nigeria on Sunday in the
first of their two home friendly games
holding in Japan.
Yuki Ogimi opened the scoring late in the
first half and Nahomi Kawasumi added
the second to wrap up the victory in
Nagasaki on the eve of her 28th birthday.
Japan coach Norio Sasaki said, “Nigeria
had a long journey and condition-wise
are not at their best yet. They will be
much more aggressive in the next match
so we will have to increase our efforts.”
The second game will take place at
Chiba’s Fukuda Denshi Arena on
Thursday.
Japan controlled much of the first half
and looked certain to take the lead in the
29th minute, only for Megumi Takase to
have her shot cleared off the line by
Osinachi Ohale.
But Chelsea striker Ogimi broke the
deadlock nine minutes before the break,
taking a through ball from Aya Miyama
and skipping past Nigeria goalkeeper
Ibubelye Whyte to slot the ball between
two defenders into the net.
Takase missed a glorious chance to make
it 2-0 at the start of the second half and
substitute Karina Maruyama was denied
by Whyte from close range moments later.
It was only a matter of time before Japan
doubled the lead and the second goal
finally arrived on 53 minutes.