Spain vs. Japan
A blockbuster match beckons as Group C of the 2023 FIFA Women’s prepares to wrap up play on Monday evening. The group’s joint leaders, Spain and Japan, have stormed their respective ways through this competition. Neither nation has even conceded a goal yet. Jorge Vilds’s “La Roja Feminina” have beaten Costa Rica and Zambia by a combined 8-0 scoreline while Futoshi Ikeda’s “Nadeshiko” rolled over the same opponents with an equally impressive 7-0 aggregate.
Advocates for the women’s game maintain a great deal of respect for both of these programs. Japan’s 2011 World Cup win helped broaden the appeal of the sport broaden globally. The massive surge of interest in Spanish football domestically, not to mention all of the record breaking crowds at the Camp Nou, have elevated the status of the UEFA Women’s Champions’ League to the point at which it is now a common watch within Europe. The advocacy work of legendary Spanish international Veronica Boquete also ensured that women’s football earned a place on digital gaming platforms.
Entering the tournament, it seemed odd that these two nations didn’t factor into the discussions covering contenders for the title. There were reasons. In the case of Japan, a series of disappointing tournaments and an untested head-coach left many prepared to discount the Asians. The fact that Spanish trainer Vilda experienced a player mutiny last Autumn left many feeling skittish about tipping them. The loss of central defensive pillar Mapi Leon increased doubts; ones which these team has now completely allayed.
Two sides that have brute-forced their way back into the discussion are already qualified for the round-of-16. Now comes a showdown to see who can top the group. One should note that – after the manner in which Group A concluded on Sunday – it’s possible that both managers might be averse to claiming top spot; a dubious honor that means facing Norway over Switzerland. Some of the stars shall be rested and the danger of a “Gijon Game” definitely lurks. The author maintains that both teams are worth catching up with in any case. Both can make a run at the title.
Spain
The Spanish FA stuck with Vilda even after 15 capped players resigned from the national team in protest over exhausting training standards last Autumn. Vilda has since coaxed some of his insurgents back into the fold. The Spanish gaffer rode the controversy out in large part because he happens to be a very adept tactician who enjoys significant respect among those who love the strategic side of the game.
Every bit the antithesis of his predecessor Ignacio Quereda, Vilda has elevated this program to new heights. In the opening group stage game against Costa Rica, he backed Esther Gonzalez to lead his line after what has been a difficult year for her for club and country. The 31-year-old played ahead of other candidates Jenni Hermoso (working at ten) and Mariona Caldentey (on the bench).
Lineup—Spain—Match One (4-2-3-1)
Gonzalez began the match absolutely shot out of a cannon. She immediately turned some slick tricks on the ball before setting up the first Spanish goal and scoring the third. The Spaniards had a routine victory sewn up before the first-half was out thanks to her assistance in getting the team three goals inside a six-minute-span. The squad enjoyed the chance to take their foot off the gas a tad at the beginning of a long tournament for the duration.
Vilda made two changes to his XI in the second group stage match against Zambia. Caldentey actually started in place of Gonzalez whilst Hermoso took over the lead-striker role. Salma Paralluelo switched over to the left flank. Female footballing superstar (thank goodness she’s back!) Alexia Putellas took Athena del Castillo’s starting place.
The tactical re-format again excelled and put the match to bed early.
Lineup—Spain—Match Two (4-3-3)
Spanish “Tiki-Taka” at its finest soon produced goals for Teresa Abelleira and Hermoso before we reached the 15-minute-mark. Putellas left us all breathless with her cheeky little chip in assist of Hermoso’s 2-0 in the 13th. It took some time for the third goal to come, but those of us observing the match never felt ourselves devoid of entertainment. Aitana Bonmati and Ona Batlle furnished us with some fine footwork before the change-of-ends.
Vilda opted to rest Batlle, Putellas, and Paralluelo for the second 45. That ended up not mattering at all as back-up striker Alba Redondo put on a show. Vilda gave one of the other attackers eager to show something after missing last Summer’s Euros a shot. The 26-year-old Levante forward completed a brace. Hermoso later did as well. More great work from Bonmati. Irene Guerrero and Eva Navarro were also fabulous off the bench.
Vilda remains a tinkerer on par with Sweden’s Peter Gerhardsson. He’ll change tactics and personnel irrespective of whether his team wins or not. What’s worth keeping an eye on is how often he gets it right with a well-thought-out plan that exudes the type of confidence only hard drilling on the training pitch can bring. He could very well tactic his way to the title.
There appear no real problematic areas within this team, apart from the fact that the lack of bone-crunching tackles at the back make one notice Mapi Leon’s absence. This could be the year that it all comes together for a program and country on the precipice of becoming a female footballing powerhouse. The reigning winners of last year’s U-17 and U-20 competitions can surely make a sweep at the senior level.
Japan
The Nadeshiko’s strong debut match made virtually all of us stand up and take notice. Surprisingly enough, trainer Ikeda made four changes to the XI that routed Zambia. Jun Endo, Hinata Miyazawa, Fuka Nagano, and Rion Ishikawa all rotated to the bench. They were replaced by Hina Sugita, Shiori Miyake, Honoka Hayashi, and Hikaru Naomoto. Insofar as the author could tell, the shape remained the same.
Lineup—Japan—Match Two (3-4-3)
The four new actors in the XI didn’t miss a beat. Signs that the match against Costa Rica would turn into a one-sided-affair were immediately apparent. Captain Kumagai and Hasegawa pressed forward immediately. Amelia Valverde’s Ticas – set up in what looked to be a well-designed 4-4-1-1 shell – found themselves unable to cope with all the forward traffic. It’s no small feat to break down such a defensive-minded formation so quickly.
Aoba Fujino confirmed the hunch held by many that she’s ready to rocket her way to becoming a recognized player with some amazing early dribbles and cuts. The 19-year-old twice narrowly missed out on grabbing the opening goal by taking just one touch too many. New introduction Naomoto finally grabbed the 1-0 with a fine finish in the 25th. Fujino quickly followed up with a goal of her own two minutes later.
The 2-0 scoreline held, though not for lack of quality chances from Ikeda’s side. The consistently dangerous Tanaka had her looks in front of goal. Hayashi spurned a few solid opportunities in the second half. Riko Ueki – in a second consecutive compelling performance off the bench – came close to netting her second tournament tally.
Both Naomoto and Fujino’s finishes were of very high quality. As difficult as the Costa Ricans made it for the Japanese to locate space on the attack, somehow an angle was always located through clean and fast cycles left, right, and center. One shouldn’t neglect the acumen and discipline of the defensive corps either. This team has only now conceded four goals in 720 of football in the current calendar year.