Japan vs Costa Rica, 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup – Preview, Prediction, Team Squads, Key Players to Watch, and More

Japan’s women will play host to Costa Rica’s women in the second round of matches for Group C of the Women’s World Cup on Wednesday. The two nations with the best chances of qualifying from this group are Japanese and Spaniards.

Japan is in first place in the group after the first round and is now ranked 11th in the world per FIFA rankings. They have now won four of their previous five games across all competitions after defeating Zambia 5-0 in the opening encounter, which was the largest victory of the first round. With 25 shots on goal and 11 of them being on target, Japan dominated their opening match and did not allow any of their opponents to take a single shot.

Miyazawa Hinata is the current joint top scorer in the competition to date, with two goals. Japan won the Women’s World Cup in 2011, then, at that point, became runners-up in 2015, and were taken out in the last 16 in 2019. In light of their first-match performance, they ought to get one more three points in this one.

Costa Rica are ranked 36th as per FIFA and comes into this match after a 3-0 loss to Spain in the first match of the group. They were outflanked on each level in that match, managing just 19% possession, while Spain dealt with an unbelievable 46 shots in the match compared with Costa Rica’s.

Costa Rica’s qualification for the competition stopped by beating Panama and Trinidad and Tobago at the CONCACAF W Championship, which procured them a semi-final spot. They were beaten by the competition winners USA in the penultimate round of that competition, yet a final-four placement was sufficient to get their qualification. This is just Costa Rica’s second appearance at the Women’s World Cup, with their first completion in the group stages back in 2019. Alongside Zambia, they are probably going to battle to come to the knockout stages.

Japan recorded a spurring 0-5 win beginning against Zambia this World Cup season. Miyazawa’s support with a goal each from Tanaka, Endo, and Ueki fixed an agreeable win which permitted the team to move to the top of the Group C table in the actual beginning.

Going on, Japan will confront Costa Rica in their second fixture on Tuesday. Costa Rica had a shocking beginning to this season, yielding a 3-0 loss against Spain. It was their fourth loss in the last five excursions across all competitions.

The Nadeshiko proceeded with their dash of 5-0 successes in their matchup against Zambia. With 51% possession, 26 goal attempts, 10 free kicks, and six corner kicks, the Copper Queens had no response. Japan will hope to dazzle in their next game.

Las Ticas didn’t partake in their World Cup debut, experiencing a 3-0 hammering against European giants Spain. La Roja shot each of the three goals in the first half. La Sele wants to recuperate and get a point or three here at the Forsyth Barr Stadium.

Japan vs Costa Rica, 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup – Match Preview

Differentiating starts to the competition implies this could currently mean a certain end for the line for Costa Rica, while Japan can seal their place in the knockout stages in Dunedin.

Costa Rica were entirely defeated by Spain in their opener, just losing 3-0 yet confronting 46 shots on their goal and seeing only 19.9% of possession. This made them the first team to have under 20% of the ball in a Women’s World Cup game on record (starting from the beginning of the 2011 edition), as well as the first team to finish less than 80 passes in that time (74).

Goalkeeper Daniela Solera made 10 saves for Costa Rica against Spain, making her the first goalkeeper to make 10+ saves in a Women’s World Cup game since Thailand’s Waraporn Boonsing against Germany in 2015 (13).

Japan, then again, had an optimal beginning to their competition, beating Zambia 5-0. They didn’t confront a solitary shot in that triumph, the only time on record they have done as such in a Women’s World Cup match.

Futoshi Ikeda’s side have won five of their last seven group stage games at the WWC (D1 L1), with their 5-0 win over Zambia their second greatest triumph in the competition following a 6-0 hammering of Argentina in 2003.

Should any of Hinata Miyazawa, Mina Tanaka, or Riko Ueki find the net against Costa Rica, they will end up being the very first Japan players to score in both of their initial two WWC games, having all done as such in the success against Zambia.

Japan and Costa Rica Football Team Analysis

Japan Women’s National Team

The Japanese team has a rich history in women’s football, set apart by exceptional technical ability and strategic abilities. With a solid accentuation in team play and ball possession, Japan is famous for its speedy passing and smooth movements on the field. Their strong defence and disciplined midfield have been key factors in past World Cup victories, making them a startling rival.

Costa Rica Women’s National Team

Costa Rica’s women’s football has been consistently gaining momentum in recent years. Costa Rica is known for their enthusiasm and faithful soul, the Costa Rican team shows extraordinary assurance and versatility. Their style of play depends on quick counter-attacks and organized defensive structures, capable of disappointing even the most talented adversaries.

Japan vs Costa Rica, 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup – Head-to-Head (h2h)

This will be the first meeting between Japan and Costa Rica at the Women’s World Cup, however, Japan don’t have an extraordinary record against CONCACAF rivals at the competition, winning only one of their seven games against such sides (D2 L4), a 4-0 triumph against Mexico in 2011.

The last meeting between Japan and Costa Rica came in April 2017 when Japan ran out 3-0 victors in a friendly in Kumamoto. Goals from Kumi Yokoyama, Minami Tanaka, and Yuka Momiki triumph for the hosts of that event.

This will be set apart as the first head-to-head conflict against Japan and Costa Rica.

Japan Vs Costa Rica Players to Watch

Japan

Mana Iwabuchi – The skilled forward has superb spilling and abilities to shoot, capable of turning the game in support of Japan.

Saki Kumagai – As a sturdy in defence, Kumagai’s leadership and strategic sharpness will be imperative for Japan’s backline.

These players should be predicted to play in the Japan Versus Costa Rica Match, If you want to realize the whole Japan team who is playing in the Japan Vs Costa Rica match then you are informed that the lineup is classified and it will emerge before 1 hour of the match.

Costa Rica

Shirley Cruz – The experienced midfielder’s vision and passing abilities make her a vital innovative power for Costa Rica’s attacking plays.

Raquel Rodríguez – A dynamic midfielder, Rodríguez’s ability to win duels and launch quick counters could be a game-changer for her team.

Japan vs Costa Rica, 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup – Prediction

The winning form of Japan figures us to finish up backing them for success here. Costa Rica’s poor away form is an extra reason to place a tip for the Japanese.

Because of these teams’ performances in their first match of the group, Japan ought to make simple work of this rival. Costa Rica were exceptionally poor against Spain and carried very little attacking threat, which ought to be the situation in this match also.

Because of their particular squad assets and opening outcomes in the competition, Japan are made heavy favourites. They are hoping to dominate their opening two matches at a WWC for the third time, having beforehand done as such in 2011 (when they proceeded to win the competition) and in 2015 as reigning champs.

Costa Rica are yet to win a WWC match, drawing their initial two and losing their latest two. Having not scored in both of their last two WWC games and never keeping a clean sheet in the opposition, they are allowed only a 2.4% opportunity of triumph, while a draw is allowed a 6.5% chance.

Japan may probably deliver one more basic disaster for Costa Rica’s possibilities arriving at the next stage. Luck will most likely be in favor of Costa Rica on the off chance that they can nudge at least one in this fixture, yet an agreeable win for Japan is predictable.

Japan vs Costa Rica, 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup – Team Squads

Japan Team Squad

Ayaka Yamashita, Chika Hirao, Fūka Nagano, Hana Takahashi, Hinata Miyazawa, Hikaru Naomoto, Jun Endō, Kiko Seike, Miyabi Moriya, Momoko Tanaka, Moeka Minami, Risa Shimizu, Saki Kumagai, Shiori Miyake, Rion Ishikawa, Yui Hasegawa, Hina Sugita, Honoka Hayashi, Aoba Fujino, Riko Ueki, Mina Tanaka, Maika Hamano, Remina Chiba.

Costa Rica Team Squad

Carol Sánchez, Daniela Solera, Gabriela Guillén, Genesis Pérez, Mariana Benavides, Maria Paula Elizondo, Priscila Tapia, Valeria del Campo, Fabiola Villalobos, Maria Paula Coto, Katherine Alvarado, Mariela Campos, Gloriana Villalobos, Emilie Valenciano, Melissa Herrera, Cristín Granados, Alexandra Pinell, Raquel Rodriguez, Catalina Estrada, Priscila Chinchilla, Sofia Varela, Maria Paula Salas.