Japan coach Futoshi Ikeda said it was vital for the Nadeshiko to win their opening match against Zambia in Hamilton on Saturday if they are to make their mark at the Women's World Cup. Champions at the 2011 World Cup and runners-up four years later, Japan exited in the round of 16 at the last edition of t
Japan coach Futoshi Ikeda said it was vital for the Nadeshiko to win their opening match against Zambia in Hamilton on Saturday if they are to make their mark at the Women's World Cup.
"This is a tournament so we have to win one game after the other. That's important. We want to get off on the right foot so we have to win. It's the first game so we have to, we just have to win it tomorrow." Risa Shimizu, who started all of her country's matches in France four years ago, agreed with her coach about the importance of getting a winning start.
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