Trailing 1-0 in the waning moments of its Group C match against Brazil on Sunday, July 28, at the Parc des Princes in Paris, the outlook was grim for Nadeshiko Japan, which had already lost its opening game against Spain.
On the verge of elimination at the Paris Olympics, Japan was rescued by not one but two improbable goals. In the second minute of stoppage time, captain Saki Kumagai slotted home a penalty, then four minutes later Momoko Tanikawa uncorked the shot of the match, lofting a shot from 35 meters out into the Brazil net for the winner.
Japan had missed a chance to take a lead before halftime when Mina Tanaka's penalty was stopped by Brazil goalkeeper Lorena in the second minute of stoppage time.
Brazil scored the first goal of the match when Jhennifer took a pass from Ludmila in the 56th minute and found the back of the net.
Tanikawa's moment of glory was the stuff of storybooks, as she came on as a substitute with just 10 minutes left in regulation.
A Determination to Lift Nadeshiko Japan
"I went on the pitch with a determination that I was going to turn this game around," Tanikawa stated.
She added, "I was aware that the goalkeeper's position was up before the game, and the coach told me to aim for long shots more and more. [And] I was willing to go for it if I had the chance and I'm glad my goal led to victory."
Japan coach Futoshi Ikeda paid tribute to all of his players following the fantastic victory.
"We managed to turn the game around and we really are a wonderful team," Ikeda was quoted as saying by Kyodo News. "It's not just her [Tanikawa], all the other players who came off the bench fulfilled their roles."
Japan had six shots on target in the contest, while Brazil could manage only two.
A Look Ahead
Nadeshiko Japan, which along with Brazil has three points in the tournament so far, will play Nigeria in the teams' final group stage match on Wednesday, July 31. A victory coupled with a Brazil loss to Spain will advance Japan to the quarterfinals of the 12-team competition.
Spain leads the group with six points from its two victories.
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Author: Jack Gallagher
The author is a veteran sports journalist and one of the world's foremost figure skating experts. Find articles and podcasts by Jack on his author page, and find him on X (formerly Twitter) @sportsjapan.
