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WWC: Japan embarrasses Spain 4-0 to top Group C

Japan scored three times from lightning breaks in the first half, once in the second and defended resolutely to trounce Spain 4-0 on Monday and top Group C at the Women’s World Cup.
Hinata Miyazawa scored twice, Riko Ueki scored once and both were instrumental in each other’s goals as Japan switched swiftly from defense to counter-attack and scored from its only three attempts on goal before halftime.

Mina Tanaka came off the bench to score the last in the 82nd minute as Japan, with only 22% of possession, turned on a counter-attacking master class in front of 21,000 fans.

Both teams had already clinched places in the round of 16, Japan for the fourth World Cup in succession, Spain for the second. Both had beaten Zambia 5-0 and Spain had the better goal differential after a 3-0 win over Costa Rica. A draw would have been enough to see Spain finish atop a group for the first time in its history.

But Spain has struggled against Asian teams in World Cup matches, losing to South Korea in 2015 and drawing with China in 2019.

Japan played with a strong and cold wind at its back in the first half and that added carry to long balls forward which helped catch the Spain defense in retreat.

Spain had an overwhelming majority of possession in the half; by the 25-minute mark it had enjoyed 68% and had more than 230 completed passes to Japan’s 43. But it was timid, reluctant to go forward and played mostly around the middle of the field, keeping the ball on the ground in the face of the wind .

Japan was content to defend in depth and to counter-attack. It sprang the trap for the first time in the 12th. From just inside the Spain half and wide on the left Jun Endo sent a long, curling ball forward which fell for Miyakawa, who neatly slipped her shot past Misa Rodriguez.

In the 23rd Moeka Minami cleared from the edge of the Japan area. Ueki nodded the ball back for Nagano to send Miyazawa away on the right. She passed across the goal to Ueki, who took the ball on her left foot, propped to her right and unleashed a shot which deflected off Irene Paredes and ballooned over Rodriguez.

Ueki celebrated the goal a day after her 24th birthday.

In the 40th it was Ueki’s turn to deliver for Miyazawa. She broke incisively on the left, passed across to the right as the Spain defense, backpedaling, tried to regroup and Miyazawa finished clinically with her left foot.

Each goal fell into the same pattern and each was executed with the same precision. Spain had few chances before halftime, perhaps its best was Jennifer Hermoso’s header from Ona Batlle’s cross.

Tanaka’s goal was a magnificent solo effort. She beat Rocio Galvez near halfway, eluded Batlle and Paredes and then drove the ball powerfully into the top left corner. Japan’s four goals came from only five attempts.

Among the fans at Sky Stadium were some from Palmerston North, the provincial town 100 miles (160 kilometers) north of Wellington which was Spain’s base until they quit it suddenly last week.

Japan was a surprise winner of the World Cup in 2011 and runners-up to the United States in 2015. With 12 goals from three group matches this time, they again loom as a title contender.

Japan now will play Group A runner-up Norway on Saturday in the round of 16 and Spain will play Group A winner Switzerland.

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Nigeria Premier League

Rangers Secure 2-0 Win Over Abia Warriors As NPFL Action Heats Up

Rangers International players celebrating a goal during their NPFL win over Abia Warriors in Enugu.

Rangers International put on a show in Enugu on Wednesday, sealing a convincing 2-0 victory over Abia Warriors in their rescheduled Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) matchday five encounter.

The Flying Antelopes got off to a bright start as Chigozie Iwundu struck in the 13th minute, sending the home fans into wild celebrations. Just before the half-hour mark, Godwin Obaje doubled the lead, showcasing his fine form with two goals in his last two matches.

The win catapulted Rangers into fifth place on the NPFL table with 11 points from seven games, keeping them within touching distance of the top four. Meanwhile, Abia Warriors, despite the loss, remain in fourth place with 12 points from the same number of matches.

Elsewhere at the Sani Abacha Stadium, Kano Pillars secured a hard-fought 1-0 win over Kwara United in a rescheduled matchday six fixture. Club legend Rabiu Ali rolled back the years, scoring the only goal in the 23rd minute to give Pillars a much-needed victory.

With the NPFL season still taking shape, fans can expect more drama, goals, and big performances as the race for the top intensifies.

At Sports Market International, we continue to bring you the best coverage, analysis, and insights from the world of football and beyond. Stay tuned — the NPFL is only just getting started!

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Nasarawa United Head Coach Mbwas Mangut Hails Players After 2-1 Victory At Bayelsa United

Nasarawa United Head Coach Mbwas Mangut Has Praised His Players For Their Impressive Performance Following A Hard-Fought 2-1 Away Victory Against Bayelsa United In The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL).

The Solid Miners Showed Resilience At The Samson Siasia Stadium, Yenagoa, On Sunday, Rallying From A Goal Down To Secure Their First Away Win Of The 2024/25 NPFL Season.

How The Game Unfolded

Bayelsa United Took The Lead In The 36th Minute Through Jawad Mustapha, Putting The Hosts In Control. However, Nasarawa United Responded Bravely, With Ekeson Okorie Restoring Parity Just Before Half-Time.

Substitute Victor Onovuke Then Delivered The Decisive Moment In The 89th Minute, Scoring The Winning Goal To Hand Nasarawa United A Memorable Victory On The Road.

Mangut Talks Up Massive Win

Speaking After The Match, Coach Mbwas Mangut Highlighted The Determination And Discipline Of His Team Despite Difficult Playing Conditions.

“It Was A Very Tight Game Based On The Condition Of The Field As It Was Water-Logged Due To A Heavy Downpour,” Mangut Told The Club’s Media.

“We Conceded Through An Error, But We Played Our Way Back And Got What We Worked For. After Losing Their Last Home Game, Bayelsa United Were More Under Pressure In Today’s Game. So, We Came With A Game Plan To Frustrate Them The More, And It Worked For Us.

“I Give Credit To My Boys For Being Able To Get The Job Done, Without Sounding Disrespectful To The Bayelsa United’s Side, Because They Gave Their All, But Unfortunately Couldn’t Get Any Positive Result.”

What The Result Means

The Win Marks A Significant Step Forward For Nasarawa United In Their NPFL Campaign. Securing An Away Victory Against A Tough Opponent Like Bayelsa United Underscores Their Ambition To Climb Higher Up The Table And Compete With The League’s Best.

Sports Market International Continues To Deliver The Best Sport Blog Content Across The World, Highlighting NPFL Action, Tactical Insights, And Inspirational Stories That Shape The Sports Market.

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Rivers United Offer Free Jerseys And Free Admission Ahead Of NPFL Clash With Shooting Stars

Former Super Eagles Coach Finidi George’s Rivers United Are Raising The Stakes Ahead Of Their Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) Clash With Shooting Stars By Offering Fans Free Replica Jerseys And Free Admission To The Match. The Rivers State Outfit Will Host Ibadan Warriors At Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium On Sunday, In One Of The Biggest Fixtures Of Week Four.

Both Teams Are Eager For A Win After Dropping Points Last Weekend. Rivers United Settled For A Goalless Draw With El-Kanemi Warriors, While Shooting Stars Were Held By Nemesis Ikorodu City In Ibadan.

To Ignite Fan Support And Boost Their Chances, Rivers United Announced On Social Media A Special Giveaway:

“FREE Replica Jerseys For FANS! Gate Fee: FREE! Don’t Miss Out! Show Your Team Pride & Join Us For An Electrifying Match.”

This Bold Move Highlights The Pride Of Rivers’ Determination To Secure All Three Points In This Crucial Encounter As Finidi Looks To Challenge For The NPFL Title Again.

The History Between The Two Clubs Adds Extra Spice To The Fixture. Rivers Have Claimed Four Wins In The Last Eight Meetings, While Shooting Stars Have Three. Notably, In Their Last Four Meetings In Port Harcourt, Rivers United Have Been Dominant With Four Clean-Sheet Victories, Including A 2-0 Win In Shooting Stars’ Last Visit.

Finidi George’s Rivers United Will Be Hoping To Rely On The Unwavering Support Of Their Energised Home Crowd, Boosted By The Free Jersey Offer, To Continue Their Strong Home Form And Shoot Down Oluyole Warriors This Weekend.

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