Shiho Matsubara’s double against Brazil in the second quarter final match of the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup has seen them through to the semi-finals.
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.
Japan stiffen their defense against the few quick attacks from the Brazillians right through to the 90th minute when Gabi Nunes converted a penalty kick in the penalty box to minimize the lead to a 3-1 victory.
The win has now enabled Japan to book the second place to the FIFA U20 Women’s Wold Cup Semi - final for the final top four.
Pictures by Kennedy Bani and Troy Taule
