Mana Iwabuchi lifts Japan to Women's World Cup semis
Pressure is both the curse and the privilege that comes with being a champion, and it is a reality that has become a central theme of Japan's defense of the Women's World Cup.
Japan booked its spot in the tournament's semifinal round on Saturday with a 1-0 victory over Australia, courtesy of a fortunate late winner from Mana Iwabuchi.
"We have had to play under pressure from the beginning," said head coach Norio Sasaki. "It is a difficult thing for the players because people expect a lot from us. But maybe now we are getting used to it."
Beating the United States in the 2011 final established Japan as one of the major forces in women's soccer and Sasaki's team will now face either host nation Canada or England in the last four in Edmonton on Wednesday.
Japan is the only team to have won all five of its matches in the tournament, but it did not have things all its own way. Shinobu Ohno should have put Japan in front in the opening minutes but could only produce a weak effort and despite dominating possession the team could not convert until late.
Samantha Kerr and Alanna Kennedy had chances for Australia but the Matildas' brave run came to an end, six days after they shocked Brazil in the round of 16. A late defensive lapse was to blame - confusion in the penalty area with just three minutes remaining saw the ball fall to the swiftly advancing Iwabuchi, who made no mistake in sweeping it home from close range.
Japan then, just keeps on rolling. It has not been spectacular, and each of those wins has come by a single goal margin, but it has been effective.
"Four years ago we built momentum and we are trying to do that again," Sasaki said. Almost unnoticed, Japan sits just two wins from a second straight title, and cannot be dismissed.
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