#NFFC

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"AIR WOOD"

A CLOSE BATTLE, BUT JAPAN WIN THE KIRIN CUP

New Zealand will also feel a little aggrieved, as they had a good free kick opportunity at 90+5 of a posted 5 minutes of stoppage, but the ref blew the final whistle. That 5 minutes of stoppage time didn't seem to include the VAR review. Surely there should have been more time. #JPNNZL #U20WWC

Full Time

A great second half performance, including a brace, from Miyu Matsunaga allows Japan to breath a sigh of relief, as the eek out a 2-1 win.

They far out-classed New Zealand, but New Zealand far out-worked them. Nearly led to a point.

Japan 2-1 New Zealand
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Matsumaga to taken...

Matsunaga to score!

Japan may yet get all three points!

92' Japan 2-1 New Zealand

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NZ keeper gets a hand on the ball to knock it over the line, but she doesn't hit hard enough.

From behind, it looks like the JPN player loses balance trying to adjust, but from other angle you can see the NZ keeper holds her foot.

Ref has reviewed. Penalty given.

#JPNNZL #U20WWC

Wellllll with a different angle there does look to be contact.

VAR has recommended review and ref is looking.

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At the other end, Japan get a chance in the box, and VAR is looking at a potential penalty, but I don't see it. Japanese player touches ball around keeper, but she can't get her body right to then apply the finishing touch. I don't see contact from the keeper on the replay.

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Oh man, New Zealand with another great chance. Just a long punt up field from Neary, and Brazendale outruns her defender to get in on the keeper, but Iwasaki comes off her line quickly and blocks the shot.

84' Japan 1-1 New Zealand

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Matsunaga looking to regain the lead on her own. She gets possession out wide, and beats her defender to get free in the box, but her shot gets blocked by defensive traffic and then cleared.

The sub has been a bright spot in this half.

76' Japan 1-1 New Zealand

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Kiwi captain and goal scorer, Lily Brazendale was down for a stretch after a clearance smacked her in the head. She's up, off the field, and getting checked for concussion.

71' Japan 1-1 New Zealand

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Not officially an own goal, but as close as you can get. The Japan defender just slows up, letting the Kiwi attacker keep running and get free on the wing, creating a 2v1 break.

After all that work, a senseless goal to concede for Japan.

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Goal New Zealand!!!

Chaos reigns as New Zealand fire a clearance up field that looks like it will roll out for a throw in but doesn't. NZ attacker keeps playing while Japan defender eases up. She finds an Lily Brazendale in the box to easily tap in.

59' Japan 1-1 New Zealand

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Goal Japan!

It finally happens! They win the ball and counter. Looked to initially play the wrong pass, but they're able to hold possession and cross to the far post where half time sub, Miyu Matsunaga is alone and easily head's home.

49' Japan 1-0 New Zealand

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Another chance goes begging.

Right out of the gate, Japan get an opportunity, finding Shinjo in the box, but she skies her shot.

48' Japan 0-0 New Zealand

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Half Time

Japan 0-0 New Zealand

It was all Japan but the finishing. On one hand, it does feel like a goal is coming for Japan. On the other hand, they already went 45 minutes with that the case and didn't score. New Zealand may just hold out here.

NZ offered little going forward. #JPNNZL #U20WWC

Post!

Fukushima gets space in the New Zealand box shoots across the goal. The beats Neary but not the far post.

Japan getting closer and closer, but still no breakthrough.

41' Japan 0-0 New Zealand

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Oof, great chance for Japan. A lovely one-two puts Nakamura in alone against the keeper. Neary is quick off her line, so Nakamura rounds her, but her touch is too strong. She can't shoot into the empty net, and the NZ defense is able to recover and clear.

Still 0-0

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Shinjo with a shot from just outside the box, but Brooke Neary acrobatically tips it over the bar. A great save.

25' Japan 0-0 New Zealand

Feels like the goal is coming, but it's been that way all match.

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First 15 mins, and New Zealand are pretty bunkered against Japan.

Japan haven't quite created the opportunity because of all the defensive bodies in New Zealand's box, but it feels like the goal is coming.

#JPNNZL #U20WWC

According to FIFA's lineups, Japan is starting with no forwards. Lineup lists a keeper, 4 defenders, and 6 midfielders.

Gonna take a wild stab that some of those midfielders will be playing like forwards.

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