Saitama ¨C Nadeshiko Japan showed spirit and fightback against a bigger and stronger opponent.
But neither was enough on Friday night as Asako Takakura¡¯s side crashed out of the Tokyo 2020 women¡¯s soccer tournament with a 3-1 defeat to reigning Sweden, ending the host nation¡¯s hope of a medal to inspire interest ahead of the start of its new professional league.
¡°If you look at the goals we gave up in the penalty area, and what we couldn¡¯t do in front of the Sweden goal, that¡¯s both the physical aspect as well as needing just a little more quality,¡± Japan head coach Asako Takakura said. ¡°We need to play more decisively to score those goals.¡±
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