Japan vs Costa Rica – Group Stage – Preview & Prediction | 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup
THE FACTS
When is Japan vs Costa Rica on and what time does it start? Japan vs Costa Rica will take place on Wednesday 26th July, 2023 – 06:00 (UK)
Where is Japan vs Costa Rica taking place? Japan vs Costa Rica will take place at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin, New Zealand.
Where can I get tickets for Japan vs Costa Rica? Visit this link for the latest ticket information for Japan vs Costa Rica
What channel is Japan vs Costa Rica on in the UK? Japan vs Costa Rica will be televised live on ITV1
Where can I stream Japan vs Costa Rica in the UK? Japan vs Costa Rica can be streamed on ITVX
THE LOWDOWN
JAPAN
- After heading into the half-time break just the one goal ahead vs Zambia, Japan turned on the style come the second half, racking up four more goals without reply, taking them above Spain in Group C on goal difference.
- Hinata Miyazawa was excellent going forward, bagging a brace with Mina Tanaka also on the scoresheet, whilst Riko Ueki came off the bench to score late on from the penalty spot.
COSTA RICA
- Costa Rica have their work cut out to qualify for the knockout stage after being outclassed by Spain in their opening game, losing 3-0 with all three goals coming within the first half hour.
- Defensively, Costa Rica will need to improve here against a Japanese side full of confidence and plenty of attacking threats, but at the same time, they must find a way to get forward with three points desperately needed.
THE TEAM NEWS
JAPAN
PREDICTED XI (3-4-2-1): Yamashita; Ishikawa, Kumagai, Minami; Shimizu, Hasegawa, Nagano, Endo; Fujino, Miyazawa; Tanaka
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE:
COSTA RICA
PREDICTED XI (3-4-3): Solera; F. Villalobos, Benavides, Del Campo; Coto, Alvarado, G. Villalobos, Granados; Herrera, Salas, Chinchilla
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE:
THE KEY STATS
- Japan won 3-0 in the only previous meeting between these two nations. That was a friendly match played in Japan in April 2017.
- Japan have won five of their last seven FIFA Women’s World Cup group matches (D1 L1).
- Japan are aiming to start a FIFA Women’s World Cup campaign with two successive wins for the third time having previously done so in 2011 and 2015.
- The five goals scored by Japan in their opening match leave them just two goals short of their highest ever total in a FIFA Women’s World Cup group which they recorded in 2011.
- Against Zambia, Hinata Miyazawa became the first player to score two goals in a match for Japan at the FIFA Women’s World Cup since Nahomi Kawasumi's brace in the semi-final against Sweden in 2011.
- Costa Rica are aiming to win a FIFA Women’s World Cup match for the first time (D2 L2).
- Costa Rica’s only previous FIFA Women’s World Cup fixture against an Asian nation was a 2-2 draw against Korea Republic in 2015.
- Katherine Alvarado, Cristin Granados and Melissa Herrera are the only three players to have featured in all of Costa Rica’s previous four FIFA Women’s World Cup matches (3-2015, 1-2023).
THE PREDICTION
Those who were doubtful about Japan and whether their squad had the capability to reach the latter stage of this year’s Women’s World Cup have likely had those doubts eased following the opening round of group games. Japan were clinical, classy and solid, which bodes well for them going forward. As was the case against Zambia, they are likely to have too much quality for Costa Rica, who in contrast were never in the game vs Spain and are once again unlikely to see much the ball in this match. Back Japan to win by at least two clear goals.
TIP: JAPAN TO WIN WITH -1 HANDICAP
