Japan down Lionesses to set up Spain showdown in U-20 World Cup final
ByTNT Sports
Updated 20/08/2018 at 22:37 GMT+1
FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup semi-final, Stade de la Rabine - England U-20 0 Japan U-20 2 (Ueki 22, Endo 27)
Japan's midfielder Jun Endo (C) reacts after scoring during the Women's World Cup U20 quarter final football match between Germany and Japan on August 17, 2018, at the La Rabine Stadium in Vannes, western France.
Image credit: Getty Images
First-half strikes from Riko Ueki and Jun Endo were enough for Japan to secure a 2-0 win against England to make the U-20 Women's World Cup final.
Mo Marley's team came into the tie as marginal favourites having beaten defending champions North Korea on their way to the last four, but Japan absolutely dominated the first half.
And Ueki opened the scoring with a smart turn and finish before Endo followed up a Hinata Miyazawa effort that came back off the crossbar to double her side’s advantage.
The Lionesses came out after the interval with renewed impetus but Futoshi Ikeda’s side managed to keep England at arm’s length.
England’s standout player at the tournament, Georgia Stanway, had a late chance to cut the deficit from a set-piece situation but her effort was high and wide.
Japan move on to the final, where they will face Spain who beat France courtesy of a 51st-minute strike from Patricia Guijarro.
Pedro López's side the last 20 minutes with 10 women following the dismissal of Aitana Bonmatí after she received two yellow cards.
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