- Striker scores game-winning goal against Japan
- Match a close affair as only one goal settles it
In as much as it was a composed team performance from the first whistle to the last, US striker Mallory Swanson grabbed the headlines again as her 45th minute strike helped USWNT dispatch stubborn Japan 1-0 in Nashville on Sunday.
Starting the match on the back of a two-goal performance against Canada on Thursday, Swanson was brilliant in front of goal as she turned home a an inch-perfect pass from fellow attacker Alex Morgan just before the breather.
With both teams not giving much away in a fierce tactical battle, USWNT were patient in search of an ice-breaking goal to set themselves up for another strong performance in this year’s edition of the annual SheBelieves tournament.
Ringing changes to the side that did duty against Canada on the opening day with goalkeeper Casey Murphy, defenders Sofia Huerta, Naomi Girma, midfielder Kristie Mewis and attacker Lynn Williams replacing Alyssa Naeher, Becky Sauerbrunn, Crystal Dunn, Andi Sullivan, Trinity Rodman respectively, coach Vlatko Andonovski clearly had an eye on the FIFA Women’s World Cup scheduled for June.
A fierce tactical battle ensued as both teams opted for substance instead of flair with Japan giving their opponents a hard run for their money. With percentage possession evenly poised at 51-49 in favour of US and percentage pass accuracy at 87 – 84 in favour of Japan, shots on target were far apart ending the game at two apiece.
Japan did exceedingly well to take the game to their opponents for larger parts of the game making sure US worked hard for every touch of the ball. With the game winding up, the final moments got extremely nervy for USWNT with Japan forcing Casey Murphy make a superb save at the death from a shot from midfielder Yui Hasegawa which landed on the frame to give Murphy another chance to parry the effort.
The win takes USA to six points going into the third and final matchday against Brazil. As for Japan, the loss condemned them to two straight defeats and no chance whatsoever to claim the big price when they take on Canada on the last day.
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