osakabenIt's 'skillful' Japan against 'physical' England, but Nadeshiko coach Norio Sasaki - the only man directly involved in the match - bizarrely refuses to change his simple 4-4-2 in the face of Hope Powell's 4-2-3-1. Japan are denied space to make incisive passes in dangerous areas of the pitch and are forced to attack the flanks, which England defenders cope with. Jill Scott causes problems in advanced positions, while the dangerous Homare Sawa is distracted by Kelly Smith et al and rarely finds time to get forward from her deeper starting position.

06.07.2011