Defending champion Nadeshiko Japan reached the quarterfinals of the Women's World Cup on Tuesday with a 2-1 win over tournament debutant the Netherlands.
Saori Ariyoshi opened the scoring with her first goal of the tournament in the 10th minute and Mizuho Sakaguchi grabbed a late second to take Norio Sasaki's side a step closer to defending its title.
The Dutch pulled one back in injury time after Japan goalkeeper Ayumi Kaihori fluffed a header from Kirsten Van de Ven.