Mana Iwabuchi (second from left) celebrates after scoring her second goal of the day in Nadeshiko Japan's 4-1 friendly win over Norway on Sunday in Tottori. | KYODO

Soccer

Nadeshiko Japan beat Norway in friendly

Kyodo

TOTTORI – Nadeshiko Japan beat Norway 4-1 on Sunday in an international friendly.

Kumi Yokoyama opened the scoring in the 16th minute at Tottori Bird Stadium to give Japan an early lead and spark a solid victory on home soil.

Mana Iwabuchi followed up 11 minutes later, dribbling between two Norwegian defenders to sink one into the right corner past keeper Ingrid Hjelmseth.

After the break, Iwabuchi tipped in her second goal of the match off a deft pass from midfielder Emi Nakajima. Yuka Momiki replaced the AFC Women’s Asian Cup MVP after the goal and made it 4-0 in the 63rd.

Ina Gausdal got through netminder Ayaka Yamashita to pull one back for Norway late in the second half.

“We got a little pressure (from our opponent) in the first half,” Nadeshiko manager Asako Takakura said.

“In the second half we moved the ball around at a good tempo and were able to play like Japan. We’re turning into a team that wins little by little.”

Norway manager Martin Sjogren said the match was illuminating for his side and praised Japan’s technique and organization.

Nadeshiko, the 2011 World Cup champions and 2015 runners-up, are currently seventh in the FIFA women’s rankings. They beat Australia in April to win their second straight AFC Women’s Asian Cup title.

GET THE BEST OF THE JAPAN TIMES IN FIVE EASY PIECES WITH TAKE 5

JOIN THE CONVERSATION

LATEST SOCCER STORIES

Gimnasia manager Diego Maradona gestures to supporters after a game against Estudiantes on Nov. 2, in La Plata, Argentina.

Diego Maradona returns as coach of Argentina's Gimnasia two days after leaving: Argentine legend Diego Maradona announced on Thursday he would return as coach of Argentine first-division side Gimnasia, just two days after resigning. "I am very happy to be able to an...

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho gestures toward the stands after a match against Juventus on Nov. 7, 2018. Mourinho was hired as Tottenham manager on Wednesday.

Jose Mourinho brings passion to task of reviving Tottenham: Ousted from previous jobs for fomenting friction, Jose Mourinho is returning to coaching trying to show he is rejuvenated with the smile back. Will Tottenham be getting a mellowed manager...

NTV Beleza players celebrate after winning their second straight Nadeshiko League Cup final on Aug. 2 at Tokyo's Ajinomoto Field Nishigaoka. Beleza, one of the strongest teams in the Nadeshiko League, is likely to be a founding member of the new women's professional league.

JFA takes leap with new women's pro league: Eight years ago, Japan won the FIFA Women's World Cup and earned its place among women's soccer's elite nations. Now, as the sport known as "WoSo" packs stadiums in London, Madrid, Monterrey and...