New Zealand 1 - 2 Japan
Final
  for this game

Japan eyes strong start against New Zealand

Jun 27, 2011 - 12:10 AM Bochum, Germany (Sports Network) - Japan will be looking to get its 2011 Women's World Cup campaign off to a strong start on Monday against New Zealand as the Nadeshiko aim to reach the knockout round of the competition for the second time in their history.

When the draw was released, with Japan finding itself in Group B alongside England, Mexico and New Zealand, it provided a great opportunity for Norio Sasaki's team to advance beyond the group stage in a World Cup for the first time since 1995.

Japan needed to beat China in a playoff just to reach Germany, but as the fourth-ranked team in the latest edition of the FIFA Rankings, the Japanese will be expecting to make an impact at this summer's competition.

Sasaki has acknowledged that while New Zealand won't represent the toughest match of the group stage for his team, that it is important to get all three points to get off to a good start.

England is expected to be the most difficult opponent in the opening round for Japan, but Sasaki has warned his team that "New Zealand are a team that make up for their lack of technique with power and speed."

Coach John Herdman brings a very different looking New Zealand side to this World Cup as the Kiwis once again dominated the weak Oceania region but have just a handful of players on the roster that played in the 2007 World Cup.

The team may be young, and Herdman has alluded to the fact that Japan represents a big challenge, but he feels that if his team stays focused they are capable of getting a decent result.

"It's going to be really difficult - it's arguably our toughest game," Herdman said of the Japan match. "The players are well aware that they have to bring their 'A' game and if any one player drops below the required standard we could be in trouble. But, generally, if people stick to their task for the full 90 minutes we could get a result."






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