Japan

Although Japan provided stiff opposition for the reigning champions, a direct penalty kick conceived by Maria Caldentey from a hand ball by Hisui Haza ultimately gave Spain a fairly comfortable victory.

As is so often the case, Japan struck at the opening minutes in the first half with several attempts by skipper Ruka Norimatsu culminating Japans circuit on the pitch but Spain backliners could not allow Japan forwards through as both teams went off for break at nil all.

The tournament is underway from November 13-December 3 at Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea.

Germany is pooled in Group D with Mexico, Venezuela and South Korea.  

The Germans share three points with Mexico following their victories over Venezuela 3-1 and South Korea 2-0 respectively.

Germany however, is ahead on the ladder due to points for and against. Mexico is second on the ladder followed by Venezuela then South Korea.

In Group A, Brazil and North Korea share three points following their victories over home side PNG 9-0 and Sweden 2-0 respectively.

Brazil thrashes PNG 9-0

http://www.looppng.com/content/brazil-thrashes-png-9-0

Brazil registered its first win in the FIFA U20 Women's World Cup, thrashing home side Papua New Guinea 9-0 tonight at the Sir John Guise Stadium in Port Moresby.

Merger of agencies to go ahead

http://www.looppng.com/content/merger-agencies-go-ahead

Japan's No. 10 Yuka Momiki and No.18 Mami Ueno scored three goals each, while  Nigeria scored one goal into their own net. 

Leading by 2 in the first half, Japan continued its firey form in the second half in front of a crowd of 1,651. 

Going into the second half with 66 percent ball possession, Japan was awarded an early penalty in front of Nigerian goal mouth seven minutes into the second half. 

Japan's Momiki scored her second goal for the night in the 51st minute, expanding their lead 3-0. 

The second match at Bava Park this evening had a firing start with Japan taking a penalty kick in front of Nigeria's goalmouth in the second minute of the match, only to find the outside corner net.

The local supporters added that boost for Japan, who had more possession of the ball in the entire first half of the match.

Awesome defense by Nigeria's defenders prevented a goal to Japan in the 7th and 8th minutes of the match.

Both teams have one win, one lose and a draw against each other.

Nigeria has had 7 appearances at the World Cup since 2002, while Japan stands at 4 appearances in the competition.

Neither teams have a title against them. Together their total scored goals stand at 8, that's 4 goals each from previous World Cup meets.

The Japanese side will be captained by defender and No. 5 Ruka Norimatsu, while Nigeria will be led by goalkeeper Sandra Chiichii.

Pictured in navy blue are the Japanese warming up before the match.

While the opening ceremony will be taking place at the Sir John Guise Stadium, Bava Park will host its first match at 4pm between Spain will take on Canada.

The Spaniards will be bidding to break down Canada's defensive fortress with key players Andrea Sierra, Nahikari Garcia and Sandra Hernandez.

The Canadians will be hoping to build on a positive showing with the help of key players Sarah Stratigakis and Bianca St. Georges after they reached the quarter-finals of the 2014 World Cup.

Japan takes the field to play Nigeria at 7pm.

Four matches will be played today at two separate venues.

Pool A matches will be played at the Sir John Guise (SJG) stadium and Pool B matches will be played at Bava Park.

The first two matches will kick off at 4pm.

Sweden and Korea DPR will take the field after the opening ceremony at the SJG stadium in front of an expected sellout crowd.

Sweden will be banking on key players Stina Blackstenius, Nathalie Bjorn and Tove Almqvist. Korea DPR has key players Ri Un Sim and Ri Kyong Hyang to help them through to victory.

Environment policy expert based in Japan, Anne McDonald, says working closely with resource owners and government agencies is vital in developing a management plan for PAs.

The Canadian environment policy scholar and Professor of Sophia University at Tokyo, in Japan, highlights the importance of involving landowners in decision-making for PA policies.

McDonald has conducted field research in Japanese agricultural and fishing communities for over two decades now.

She educates on how to balance economic development and environmental conservation of island nations.

Loop PNG visited the city this week as part of the Pacific-Caribbean Journalists Program organised by the Association for Promotion of International Cooperation and the Foreign Press Center Japan.

Ishinomaki is the major city of northeast Miyagi Prefecture located at the mouth of the Kitakami River which is the biggest river in northern Japan.

The earthquake and tsunami caused disastrous damage to the city, leaving a permanent scar on both the city and the minds of its residents.