【Match Report】Nadeshiko Japan draw 1-1 with Colombia in first home game under new regime

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07 April 2025

【Match Report】Nadeshiko Japan draw 1-1 with Colombia in first home game under new regime

On Sunday 6 April, Nadeshiko Japan (Japan Women's National Team) took on the Colombia Women's National Team in an international friendly match at YODOKO Sakura Stadium in Osaka.

In a rematch of the two teams that met at the SheBelieves Cup in the USA in February, Japan opted for the same 4-3-3 formation. HIRAO Chika (Albirex Niigata Ladies) was given the start in goal with a backline of KOGA Toko (Feyenoord), KUMAGAI Saki (London City Lionesses), MINAMI Moeka (AS Roma), and KITAGAWA Hikaru (BK Hacken). NAGANO Fuka (Liverpool FC) anchored the midfield with HASEGAWA Yui (Manchester City) and MIYAZAWA Hinata (Manchester United) playing as the two central midfielders. SEIKE Kiko (Brighton & Hove Albion), TANAKA Mina (Utah Royals), and MOMIKI Yuka (Leicester City) were named as the three forwards.

The match saw Japan take the initiative with an aggressive defensive approach in the early stages. Seike came close to converting Momiki's cross in the 10th minute, while Miyazawa's shot hit the crossbar in the 13th minute. Nagano also tried her luck from distance in the 20th minute.

A golden opportunity came for Japan in the 29th minute, when Momiki, who received a pass from Hasegawa, was fouled inside the box to win a penalty. However, the shot taken by Momiki was saved by Colombia goalkeeper Katherine TAPIA.

Then in the 35th minute, Colombia broke the deadlock when Karla TORRES headed in a cross from the left to give the visitors the lead.

Tanaka was forced off in the 43rd minute through injury and coach Nils NIELSEN brought on MATSUKUBO Manaka (North Carolina Courage) to take her place up front. The coach also brought on UEKI Riko (West Ham United) and SASAKI Rio (Mynavi Sendai Ladies) for the start of the second half, with Sasaki making her international debut.

In the second half, Matsukubo made her presence felt in attack, latching onto Koga’s pass to strike a shot in the 50th minute, followed by a couple of more close opportunities in the 56th and 61st minute, but Tapia was on hand to make the save each time.

In an attempt to change the dynamic of the match, coach Nielsen brought on SUGITA Hina (Portland Thorns) and UENO Mami (Sanfrecce Hiroshima Regina) in the 68th minute, followed by TAKAHASHI Hana (Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Urawa Reds Ladies) in the 84th minute, with the defender playing up front as a forward.

After switching to a more attacking back-three formation, Japan were once again awarded a penalty three minutes into additional time when Matsukubo's shot struck the hand of a Colombian defender. Late substitute Takahashi stepped up to the spot to slot home the equaliser.

Despite Japan's late surge, no further goals were scored as coach Nielsen's first home match ended in a 1-1 draw.

Coach and Players' Comments

Nils NIELSEN, Head Coach of Nadeshiko Japan
It was the first time we had conceded the opening goal, and it made the game more difficult than ever. We were able to create chances, but we were unable to take advantage of them to win the game. Nevertheless, I am relieved that we were able to walk away with a draw. I think our overall performance was neither the best nor the worst. We didn't make enough runs and lacked the aggression to press the opposition in the first half. Colombia did well to break the flow of the game, so it was important not to lose concentration. In that sense, I think the goal we conceded could have been avoided if we had positioned ourselves correctly. We created more chances from the flanks in the second half, which allowed us to apply more pressure. For us to get better, we need to be more composed in the final third and have more confidence with the ball.

DF #4 KUMAGAI Saki (London City Lionesses/England)
Knowing how we possessed the ball and created chances, this was a match we had to win. It is just a shame that we allowed our opponents to dictate the tempo of the game. Defensively, there were many occasions when we were able to win the ball by pressing from the front, but I think we could have created more chances if we had made quicker transitions from defence to attack. Against good defensive teams like Colombia, we need to be more creative, for example by attacking more from the flanks. It is also important that we control the pace of the game at all times. We need to be on the same page in terms of positioning, spacing and strategy to bring out the best in each other, regardless of who is on the pitch.

DF #5 TAKAHASHI Hana (Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Urawa Reds Ladies)
The coach told me that I was going to play as a forward and, knowing that I had little time to work with, I went out on the pitch determined to score a goal. Our opponents looked tired towards the end of the game, so I continued to make runs behind the back line in the belief that space would eventually open up. I had already decided where to take the penalty. I knew the goalkeeper was going to dive to one side or the other, so I just tried to keep my composure. I'm disappointed that I couldn't take advantage of the opportunities I had after the equaliser. Colombia are a team with a lot of individual talent, and they were very well organised. To break down their solid defence, we need to make more runs, create more space and have more options in the attacking third.

MF #20 MATSUKUBO Manaka (North Carolina Courage/USA)
I came on in the second half with the team behind, so I was determined to push forward and take my chances without hesitation. However, I'm very disappointed that I couldn't convert the chances I was given, even though I had plenty of them, and I'm frustrated that I couldn't celebrate the victory with the fans who made the stadium so lively. Personally, I was given more minutes than I did in the SheBelieves Cup and was able to take more shots, which was good, but I still need to produce results to make an impression as a substitute. As a striker, I am expected to score goals, so I will continue to work hard, focus on scoring goals and do my best to finish the next game with a smile on my face.