Smile Japan and Germany will play for a spot in next year's Pyeongchang Olympics after both teams improved to 2-0 on Saturday in the women's ice hockey qualifying tournament.
Ami Nakamura, Haruka Toko, Hanae Kubo and Rui Ukita all scored as Smile Japan won 4-1 and moved to the top of Group D. Germany and Japan will meet on Sunday.
The Japanese defenders allowed the French precious little possession in front of Nana Fujimoto's goal, while the hosts' electric passing kept their opponents on the back foot for most of 60 minutes. But Japan's failure to capitalize on the power play proved frustrating — as did the penalties against them.