Japan will be looking to continue their excellent run of form at the Women’s World Cup when the round of 16 gets underway on Saturday. The 2011 champions will come up against Norway in their first knockout match, and they will be heavily favoured in the betting.
Women’s World Cup 2023 Preview
Japan will continue their quest for a second World Cup on Saturday, as they look to reach the last eight of the competition. The Asian nation will come up against Norway, but they will likely be confident after topping a very competitive Group C. They won all three matches that they played in the group stage, scoring eleven goals and failing to concede a goal. Their standout win was secured against Spain on matchday three, and they landed a huge 4-0 win.
It is the fifth time that Japan have progressed through to the knockout round, and it is the fourth straight edition that they have achieved the feat. Japan also has an excellent record against European nations at this stage of the tournament, as they have won four of their last five.
Norway have reached the round of 16 of the tournament without playing their best football to date. The European nation looked in danger of being knocked out of the tournament after losing and drawing their opening two matches. However, they bounced back on matchday three with a fine 6-0 win over the Philippines to steal the second qualification spot in Group A.
It is the eighth time in nine editions of the tournament that Norway have reached the knockout stage of the competition. In fact, Norway has been able to progress through to the next round in each of the last two occasions in which they have come up against a nation from the AFC region at the Women’s World Cup.
Japan vs Norway Head to Head
These two nations previously clashed in the group stage at the 1999 World Cup. Norway were convincing winners on that occasion, as they landed a 4-0 win, with current head coach Hege Riise among the scorers.
Japan vs Norway Prediction
Norway may boast a fine record against AFC opposition, but they have failed to set the world alight at the competition. Therefore, we will be siding with the in-form Japan, who have been one of the standout nations at the World Cup this summer.
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