Honoka Hayashi and Risa Shimizu helped Japan continue their perfect start to their 2023/24 FIFA Women’s World Cup with a dominant 2-0 victory over Costa Rica in Dunedin, New Zealand.
After beating Zambia 5-0 in their opening game of Group C on Saturday, Futoshi Ikeda elected to bring Hayashi into the starting XI for the contest against the Central American Nation, who are 36th in the FIFA World Rankings.
Nadeshiko knew that a win would all but seal their place in the knockout stages thanks to their goalscoring exploits in their previous outing, and it did not take them long to settle into a dominant rhythm at the Forsyth Barr Stadium.
Shimizu was involved in the opening five minutes, as she tried to slip in Aoba Fujino inside the box, but she was put under too much pressure and the chance went begging.
Costa Rica goalkeeper Daniela Solera was called into action for the first time moments later when she made a stunning stop to deny Saki Kumagai from a corner.
The opening goal arrived on 25 minutes. Hikaru Naomoto capitalised on a slip by María Coto to meet a cross, and she had plenty of time and space to pick her spot before firing into the bottom corner.
Two minutes later, and Japan had doubled their lead. Fujino did superbly to keep a loose ball alive before driving into the area and squeezing a shot beyond Solera at the near post.
After a strong first half showing from Hayashi and Shimizu, Costa Rica grew into the game in the first phase of the second half and produced a much more solid performance.
Indeed, whilst Japan continued to control the majority of the play, they had far less success in the final third. Hayashi and Shimizu were both substituted as the game drew to a close.
Victory, combined with Spain's victory over Zambia in Wednesday's other Group B tie, means Japan are through to the round of 16, where they could play England or Emma Snerle's Denmark, depending on where they finish and how Group D pans out.
