Japan

Each player has scored five goals overall in the tournament but unfortunately for both players, their teams, Brazil and Sweden, have bowed out of the tournament.

Japan, Korea DPR, the United States and France are the top four teams through to the semifinals.

Blackstenius was the first to score five goals, four against home side Papua New Guinea and one goal against Brazil in the group round matches.

Brazil midfielder Gabi Nunes scored her fifth goal of the tournament against Japan in the quarterfinal to level with Blackstenius.

The last teams standing are Japan, Korea DPR, the United States and France.

Korea DPR was first to qualify after defeating Spain 3-2 in the first quarterfinal match.

Japan was the next to qualify, grabbing an easy win against Brazil 3-1 in the second quarterfinal.

USA defeated Mexico 2-1 in the third quarterfinal to secure their spot in the semifinal while reigning champions, Germany, lost their campaign to retain the Cup after a shocking loss to France 1-0 in the last quarterfinal match.

The two European teams will take the field at 7:30pm in what is expected to be a showdown at the Sir John Guise Stadium.

France will be hoping to make the top four once again like they did in the 2014 World Cup in Canada, while Germany is out to defend the Cup.

France coach Gilles Eyquem said earlier that the team is focused on a good defensive game as Germany is a very good team and usually, when they have an opportunity to score, they take it.

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Leading 1-0 at half time, Japan returned in the second half to increase their lead with two goals from Shiho Matsubara.

Matsubara scored her first right after the break when the first half goal scorer Miyabi Moriya made a smooth cross that found her boots right in front of the goal to lace the ball through.

Five minutes later, Matsubara counted her second from another lovely cross from flanker Asato Miyagawa to seal the lead.

Permitting less fouls, Japan played stunning footy getting the Brazillians into a defensive mode.

Japan blazed through with several attempts, from striker Yuka Momiki that got countless wide shots from penalties before flanker Miyabi Moriy cracked the score board open in the seconds of the four minutes extra time before the break.

Brazilians stiff defence was not strong enough as Japan maintained ball possession and  limited their fouls to pull in front.

It will be a deciding second half as the win for tonight determines the fate of both teams.

Japan coach Asako Takakura said following their victory over Canada 5-0, that their next game will be the knockout stage so they will have to win it.

Takakura said if they lose the game their World Cup dream will be over so they will definitely push forward and trust themselves.

She added that individually each player will have to step up in order to progress to the next stage of the finals.

Coach Takakura admitted that although the game against Canada was tough, they were able to keep it under control and that worked out well for them.

The quarter-final match will no doubt be a tough and aggressive game between the two group finalists with Brazil in Group A  and Japan in Group B.

Brazil’s defender and Player of the Match in the game against Sweden on Sunday, Daiane Silve said they need to play in the same level against Japan and will do their best to win each match.

Coach Dorival Bueno said Japan is a very strong team and was one of the teams they met last year in the qualifying cup.

The girls in red suffered their third loss in the tournament while Japan has made it through to the quarter finals.

Japan scored through Yui Hasegawa, top scorer Mami Ueno, Honoka Hayashi and Hina Sugita.

Ueno now has four goals to her name in this tournament.

Japan showed no mercy taking the lead at half time 2-0 in this last round of the group matches.

Hasegawa opened the score board for Japan scoring in the 25th minute of the match in front of a crowd of 5,439 people.

The Canadian squad suffered a 5-0 loss against Spain in their opening match and went down again 3-1 against Nigeria in their second in the Group B match at Bava Park on Wednesday.

Today, the women in red and white (Canada) will face champions Japan in their final group match before bowing out for the finals.

Japan will be looking to see Canada off with a win to qualify for a spot for the quarter finals or else the rival team Nigeria, who are currently tied at 3 points each will book the spot if they beat Spain.