【Match Report】Nadeshiko Japan Fall 1-0 to South Africa in Training Match

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10 June 2026

【Match Report】Nadeshiko Japan Fall 1-0 to South Africa in Training Match

Nadeshiko Japan (Japan Women’s National Team) suffered a 1-0 defeat to the South Africa Women’s National Team in a training match at J-GREEN Sakai on Tuesday 9 June.

Just three days after their international friendly against the same opponents on 6 June, Japan made ten changes to the starting line-up. HIRAO Chika (Granada CF) started in goal, while ENDO Yu (West Ham United), TAKESHIGE Akari (Feyenoord), KUMAGAI Saki (London City Lionesses) and MORIYA Miyabi (Utah Royals) formed the back four. In midfield, HAYASHI Honoka (Everton) and ITO Juri (Nojima Stella Kanagawa Sagamihara) operated as a double pivot. Further forward, CHIBA Remina (Eintracht Frankfurt) started on the left, MOMIKI Yuka (Everton) on the right, with SEIKE Kiko (Brighton & Hove Albion) and MATSUKUBO Manaka (North Carolina Courage) deployed as a front two.

Japan controlled possession from the outset and nearly took the lead after just one minute. Moriya delivered a cross from the left, Momiki laid it off into Seike’s path, but the striker was denied by a brilliant save from South Africa goalkeeper Kaylin SWART.

South Africa capitalised on their first opportunity in the ninth minute. Linda MOTLHALO headed home from a corner on the left to put the visitors in front.

Trailing early, Japan continued to threaten in search of an equaliser. In the 12th minute, Seike met a cross from Chiba, and in the 26th minute Hayashi tested the goalkeeper with a long-range effort after a lay-off from Matsukubo. Japan came close again in the 34th minute, when their aggressive pressing opened up the middle of the pitch and Matsukubo exchanged passes with Momiki before striking a right-footed shot against the right-hand post. Seike also found herself with a clear scoring opportunity just before half-time, but South Africa held on to take their one-goal advantage into the interval.

Japan introduced SHIMIZU Risa (Liverpool FC), KOGA Toko (Tottenham Hotspur), MIYAZAWA Hinata (Manchester United) and HASEGAWA Yui (Manchester City) at the start of the second half. The changes immediately increased the tempo of Japan’s play, with quicker defensive pressure and more fluid attacking movements. Hasegawa’s incisive distribution helped Japan make greater use of the flanks. In the 56th minute, Momiki threatened with a powerful strike from distance.

FUJINO Aoba (Manchester City) entered the match in the 57th minute as Japan stepped up the pressure. In the 70th minute, Koga redirected Miyazawa’s effort following a corner-kick, only for a South African defender to clear off the line. MINAMI Moeka (Brighton & Hove Albion) was introduced three minutes later, before Kumagai’s header from a Hayashi corner was well saved by Swart in the 79th minute. Fujino continued to create openings down the right, while Miyazawa was denied from a loose ball in the 88th minute as South Africa’s goalkeeper preserved her side’s lead.

Despite maintaining pressure until the final whistle, Japan were unable to find a way through South Africa’s resilient defence and fell to a 1–0 defeat. With many players given the opportunity to feature, the match offered both valuable lessons and positive takeaways as Nadeshiko Japan continue to shape their new-look side.

Coach and Players' Comments

KANO Michihisa, Head Coach of Nadeshiko Japan
We created chances through our aggressive pressing from the outset, but we were unable to convert them. In the first half, there were areas that needed improvement in terms of decision-making, game awareness and positioning. I think one reason we struggled to raise the tempo of our attack was that, as a team, we were not fully aligned on how to break down the opposition’s defensive block and exploit the available spaces. In the second half, we made adjustments, including personnel changes, and were able to spend more time on the front foot. However, it is extremely disappointing that we could not find a goal. In the first match, the players performed with great energy, and we were able to see the positional fluidity and attacking intent we are looking for. Going forward, we need to further clarify how we build attacks against teams that sit deep, where we want to create space and how we want to exploit it, so that these ideas are clearly understood and shared throughout the squad, regardless of who is on the pitch.

MF #7 MIYAZAWA Hinata (Manchester United/England)
At club level, I often play in a deeper midfield role, so operating from the left wing gives me a very different perspective of the game. As on the recent tour of the United States, I played on the left wing and used the match to fine-tune my defensive movements and my understanding with the left-back. When the ball was on the opposite side, I was able to rediscover the timing of my runs in behind and remind myself of how to make those movements. Rather than staying wide and trying to beat players down the line, I am the type of player who likes to move inside and combine with teammates. I was conscious of attracting defenders centrally and creating space for the full-back to make an overlapping run. If I want to match the attackers from the world’s top nations, I need to be even more proactive in taking players on, finishing moves with shots and making more runs in behind.

MF #8 SEIKE Kiko (Brighton & Hove Albion/England)
I felt that our press never quite clicked because the opposition centre-backs positioned themselves deep and wide. In the end, the match was decided by a single set piece, which is frustrating. It is the kind of situation that could easily arise at the FIFA Women’s World Cup, which makes it all the more disappointing. Once we fell behind, South Africa dropped back very quickly, and we struggled to find a way through. In the second half, both wingers were able to take up higher positions, which allowed the front three to engage the opposition more effectively and made our defensive structure work better. We also won more second balls and were able to play the game on our terms. However, the fact that we could not score remains an issue. Both as a team and individually, I think we need to raise our physical level another step as we prepare for the Women’s World Cup.

MF #14 HASEGAWA Yui (Manchester City/England)
We won the first match 5–0, but even with the scoreline the way it was, South Africa kept running until the very end and continued trying to play their game. That attitude carried over into the second match. We needed to approach this game with even greater determination, and that is one area where we fell short. Defensively, we worked with a 4-4-2 shape across both matches. Compared to the first game, I felt that in the second we had a much clearer collective understanding of how to press, including when and how to close down the centre-backs. There were moments when our defensive shape, including our coordination with the back line, was exposed. But by making adjustments and working through those situations together, I think this camp helped us identify the structures that suit us best as a team.

MF #18 HAYASHI Honoka (Everton/England)
Although we enjoyed a lot of possession, I felt that in the first half we were perhaps a little too deep as a team. We tried to communicate constantly to avoid becoming stretched through the middle, but I think we could have done more to take up positions between the lines, combine with one another and bring out each other's strengths. In the second half, our spacing improved and we attacked with better balance. That also allowed us to react more quickly when possession was lost, and we were able to win the ball back more often in the opposition half. That said, when South Africa looked to relieve pressure with long balls, we could have dealt with those situations and the second balls more clearly. When you concede first from a set piece as we did today, the opposition naturally gain confidence and concentration. We need to avoid allowing those situations to happen in the first place, and we also need to be more willing to threaten goal through central areas.