Wellington: Japan convincingly sealed their place at the summit of Group C with a dominant display against Spain at Wellington Regional Stadium here on Monday.
Three breakaway first-half goals put the 2011 champions in control, before a late Mina Tanaka strike put the icing on the cake to ensure the Nadeshiko qualified with three straight wins and without a goal conceded.
Japan opened the scoring in just the 12th minute when wing-back Jun Endo swung a curling pass in behind the high Spain backline for Hinata Miyazawa, who coolly dispatched her third goal of the tournament, the FIFA reported.
They would double their lead soon after through the impressive Riko Ueki. Released down the left with Irene Paredes for company, the forward shimmied the ball on to her right foot and fired in an effort which cannoned off Paredes’ leg and looped into the Spain goal.
Futoshi Ikeda’s side allowed Spain to have 77 per cent of the ball during the first half but there is no doubting which side did more with it, as Ueki slid Miyazawa through to fire home a stunning third five minutes before half-time.
Japan continued to keep La Roja at arm’s length in the second period and would put the result beyond all doubt when substitute Mina Tanaka burst down the right, before cutting inside and
curling a stunning effort into the top-left corner.
Japan will now face Norway in the last 16, while Spain will take on Switzerland.
