The Matildas Will Face Japan In Their World Cup Quarter Final

The matchup was finalised earlier today, after Japan dispatched the Netherlands in their Round of 16 knockout clash in Vancouver earlier today.

The Nadeshiko – the Japanese women’s national team nickname; a term that comes from the phrase “Yamato nadeshiko,” meaning the personification of the ideal Japanese woman (LEARNING!) – easily put away their Dutch rivals today with a comfortable 2-1 victory in a scoreline that flattered their orange opponents.

The contest was largely controlled by the Japanese for the majority of the game, with goals coming in the 10th minute (from defender Ariyoshi), and again in the 78th (from midfielder Sakaguchi) to seal the game. Only a junk time goal from Dutch substitute Kristen Van De Ven in injury time saved the Netherlands from giving up a clean sheet.

Japan are the defending World Cup Champions, and enter into the tournament ranked 4th in the world, posing a more-than-formidable opponent for Australia, who holds tenth place in the FIFA world rankings. In this year’s tournament, they are the only team to have won every game they’ve played thus far.

But given the Matildas performance thus far in the tournament – and the belief that run has instilled in the squad – another upset of monumental proportions is absolutely not out of the question.

For a side that’s pushed the World #2 (USA), drawn with the World #5 (Sweden) and sensationally knocked off World #7 (Brazil), this Quarter Final ranks as perhaps second only to the powerhouse clash between Germany and France in terms of narrative interest.

Should Australia somehow manage to win the day, they move on to a Semi-Final berth, and a clash against either England, or host nation Canada. In the other half of the draw, the winner of the France/Germany game will take on either the USA or China.

The Matildas’ match against Japan goes down early (real early) on Sunday morning Australian time. You can catch the game live on SBS One.

GET ‘EM, ‘TILDAS. DIG.