On Tuesday 2 December, Nadeshiko Japan (the Japan Women’s National Team) faced the Canada Women’s National Team in a training match at Transcosmos Stadium Nagasaki.

Japan lined up in a 4-3-3 formation. OKUMA Akane (INAC Kobe Leonessa) started in goal, with a back four of MORIYA Miyabi (Angel City FC), MINAMI Moeka (Brighton & Hove Albion), ISHIKAWA Rion (Everton) and KITAGAWA Hikaru (Everton). MIURA Narumi (Washington Spirit) anchored the midfield, with captain HASEGAWA Yui (Manchester City) and MATSUKUBO Manaka (North Carolina Courage) playing ahead of her. The front three consisted of HAMANO Maika (Chelsea), TANAKA Mina (Utah Royals) and FUJINO Aoba (Manchester City). The starting XI featured eight changes from the MS&AD Cup 2025 match played three days earlier.

Canada started brightly and pushed for an early goal, but Japan held firm thanks partly to some excellent saves from Okuma. However, in the 11th minute Okuma was forced off with an injury following a collision inside the penalty area, bringing HIRAO Chika (Granada CF) into the match.

Japan gradually grew into the game and, in the 23rd minute, Hasegawa struck a powerful right-footed effort against the crossbar, drawing a loud reaction from the crowd.

The breakthrough came in the 45th minute when Kitagawa delivered a corner from the right. Miura met it with a header and, after the Canadian goalkeeper parried the ball, Tanaka reacted quickest to tap in the opener. It was Tanaka’s second goal in as many matches, greeted by warm applause from the stands.

At half-time, head coach Nils NIELSEN introduced MIYAZAWA Hinata (Manchester United) and TANIKAWA Momoko (Bayern Munich) into midfield, with Minami taking over the captain’s armband.

In the 52nd minute, Kitagawa unleashed a long-range effort that rattled the bar, and Japan continued to press through further chances from Fujino, Hamano and others. Late on, TAKAHASHI Hana (Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Urawa Reds Ladies) featured in a forward role as Japan experimented with different attacking combinations.

Canada attempted to respond, with Adriana LEON testing the defence and Janine SONIS looking to deliver crosses, but Minami’s timely interventions kept the danger at bay.

Japan controlled the match throughout, outshooting Canada 14–6, and secured a deserved 1–0 victory.

With back-to-back wins rounding off their 2025 schedule, Nadeshiko Japan now turn their focus to the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™, where qualification for the FIFA Women’s World Cup Brazil 2027™ and a bid for continental supremacy await.

Coach and Players' Comments

Nils NIELSEN, Head Coach of Nadeshiko Japan
We had a slightly unstable period at the start of both halves, but the players made good adjustments as the match went on. Clearly, we created more chances than Canada. We hit the woodwork twice, and overall I believe we delivered a performance that fully deserved the win. The starting line-up for the Asian Cup is not yet set, and the players who featured today are certainly in contention. Throughout this camp the staff fine-tuned the details, and the players worked hard to take them on board in training, which showed in the match. Compared with the European tour, we made far fewer mistakes. With the staff’s support on the finer points, the players understood the game plan well, and that was reflected in the performance.

MF #14 HASEGAWA Yui (Manchester City/England)
As we pressed from the front, (Miura) Narumi and I tried to win the ball higher up the pitch. At times we managed it, at others we couldn’t recover the second ball. We still need to clarify who takes responsibility in those moments, but as a team we showed our intent to press aggressively, which was positive. Canada seem to be going through a difficult spell, so we were able to control both matches, but in a tournament they would probably play more directly and with greater intensity, which would pose a much tougher challenge. Still, beating a high-ranked side like Canada in our final two matches before the Asian Cup is extremely encouraging.

FW #11 TANAKA Mina (Utah Royals/USA)
I scored exactly as I intended, reacting to the loose ball after the goalkeeper parried it, but that goal was thanks to (Miura) Narumi taking the initial shot. I had prepared to start, but I don’t think my overall performance was particularly good. Scoring was nice, but there’s plenty to reflect on. Even with the short turnaround, we expected Canada to adjust and play more directly. They went long when we pressed, which allowed us to win the ball back, so it was important not to drop too deep. At the Asian Cup we’ll be able to take more risks and press higher, but we also need to make sure everyone stays connected so we can properly capitalise on the chances we create.

Training Match

Fixture: Nadeshiko Japan vs Canada Women's National Team
Date: Tue. 2 December, 14:00
Venue: Transcosmos Stadium Nagasaki, Nagasaki
※Open to the general public (admission free)
Match information

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