Japan's women's national soccer team, known as Nadeshiko Japan, delivered yet another impressive performance at the 2025 SheBelieves Cup, defeating Colombia 4-1 on February 23, 2025, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. This victory marks Japan's second consecutive win, following their earlier triumph over Australia, as they aim to make a significant statement on the international stage.
The match kicked off with high energy as Japan wasted no time establishing dominance. Just 18 seconds after the whistle, Moeko Tanigawa, the 19-year-old midfielder making waves at Bayern Munich, scored with a powerful left-footed strike from the edge of the box. Tanigawa's impressive shooting ability not only set the tone for the game but also showcased her growing prowess as a key player for Nadeshiko Japan.
Following Tanigawa's opening goal, Japan doubled their lead just eight minutes later. From a corner kick taken by Tanigawa, forward Minami Tanaka headed the ball past Colombia's goalkeeper, delivering her second goal of the tournament. The quick succession of goals placed Japan firmly on the offensive, pushing Colombia onto the back foot.
Despite their early success, Japan faced adversity as Colombia managed to pull one back just before halftime. Lingering defensive lapses allowed Colombian forward Linda Caicedo to score, giving the South American side hope as the score stood at 2-1 at the break. It was clear Japan needed to re-adjust for the second half to maintain control.
After the interval, Nils Nielsen, who is steering the team through this tournament as their first foreign coach, introduced substitutes Fuka Nagano and Maika Hamano to inject fresh energy. This tactical switch paid off quickly. Just before the 60-minute mark, Hamano capitalized on Tanaka's clever pass, netting Japan's third goal and reinstigated their two-goal advantage.
With momentum clearly on their side, Japan continued to press. Japan sealed the game with Tanaka converting from the penalty spot late in the match after being fouled inside the area, scoring her second goal of the match and fourth for Japan. Her performance was instrumental, adding excitement as they showcased their attacking strategy under Nielsen's leadership.
Japan's stunning 4-1 victory both demonstrates their offensive strength and reveals the teamwork solidified under their new coaching regime. The game served as both confirmation of their talent and preparation for the highly anticipated final match against the reigning Olympic champions, the United States, set to occur soon.
After the match, Tanaka reflected on the victory’s significance, stating, “This victory gives us confidence going forward, especially with the upcoming match against the USA.” Her sentiments capture the collective spirit of the team as they chart their course through the tournament.
Nielsen expressed pride and optimism, stating, “We are building something new and exciting with this team.” His leadership aims to cultivate not only winning strategies but also the players' confidence as they face tougher opponents.
With their rapid ascent at the SheBelieves Cup, Nadeshiko Japan is setting the stage for what could be another shining chapter for women's soccer. The upcoming clash against the United States promises to be monumental not just for the tournament stakes but as revenge for past defeats.
This victory against Colombia is seen as part of Japan’s resurgence, creating excitement for what lies ahead as they continue pushing toward excellence on the world stage.