Latest news with #NilsNielsen
News18
02-08-2025
- Sport
- News18
Japan Aim To Reclaim AFC Women's Asian Cup Title In 2026, 'Good Draw' Says Head Coach
Last Updated: Japan's coach Nils Nielsen aims to reclaim the AFC Women's Asian Cup in Australia next year. Japan is in Group C with Vietnam, India, and Chinese Taipei. Japan's head coach, Nils Nielsen, aims for his Nadeshiko team to enhance their performance in major tournaments as they strive to reclaim the AFC Women's Asian Cup title in Australia next year. Nielsen's squad has been placed in Group C alongside Vietnam, India, and Chinese Taipei for the AFC Women's Asian Cup Australia 2026. The Official Draw in Sydney on Tuesday set the stage for their quest to win the title for the first time since 2018. 'It was a good draw, and the most important aspect is being in Group C as it's logistically better than Group B. We need to prove why we're the highest-ranked team. I don't want to disrespect anyone, but I believe we have a good chance to win the group, which would set us up against one of the third-place teams in the quarterfinals," said the Danish coach, who succeeded Futoshi Ikeda last year. Japan will play all three group-stage matches in Perth, beginning against Chinese Taipei on March 4. They aim to top the standings to secure a quarter-final match with one of the third-place finishers, as per AFC rules. Winning there would qualify Japan for their 10th consecutive FIFA Women's World Cup, guaranteeing one of the six berths for the finals in Brazil and keeping their hopes alive for reclaiming the world title for the first time since 2011. 'Obviously, it's a World Cup qualifier, so the Women's Asian Cup holds immense importance. But as a team, we need to return to winning ways, not just in individual matches but also in tournaments. Each tournament has its unique dynamics, so it's vital to understand and prepare for that. We haven't fully addressed these details yet, having only played friendly matches so far. 'But we have ample time to prepare, with more good matches on the horizon. I'm particularly pleased with the efforts of the administrators, as they have provided us with excellent preparation," said Nielsen. The AFC Women's Asian Cup Australia 2026 will be Nielsen's first major tournament as the Nadeshiko's head coach since he took over after the 2024 Olympic Games, where Japan was defeated in the quarter-finals by the eventual gold medallists, the United States. Currently ranked seventh by FIFA, the Dane expressed satisfaction with his squad's development since his arrival in December. However, he emphasizes that the time for assessments and adjustments is over. 'We've faced very strong teams, which is invaluable preparation for major tournaments. It's crucial to have formidable opposition in all our games," he said regarding the team's schedule so far. view comments First Published: August 02, 2025, 14:39 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Kyodo News
28-06-2025
- Sport
- Kyodo News
Football: Nadeshiko Japan beaten 3-1 by Spain in friendly
KYODO NEWS - 12 hours ago - 11:29 | Sports, All Japan took the lead but went down 3-1 away to a dominant Spain in a women's football international friendly on Friday, their third straight defeat in a month. Nadeshiko Japan won the SheBelieves Cup with three straight victories in February as their Danish manager Nils Nielsen, the first foreigner to lead the side, got his tenure off to a strong start. But a draw with Colombia at home in April and two losses to Brazil since late May have stalled momentum. After absorbing early pressure at Butarque Stadium in Leganes, Mina Tanaka gave seventh-ranked Japan the lead on the half-hour mark against World No. 2 Spain when she struck on the turn with her left foot following a pass from the right by Maika Hamano. Spain drew level in the 44th minute as Claudia Pina swept her shot through the legs of Japan captain Saki Kumagai, and the home side went ahead through Vicky Lopez in the 66th minute after Momoko Tanikawa lost possession just outside her own box. Mariona Caldentey rattled the bar with a free-kick before Athenea del Castillo found the top left corner of the net to complete the scoring in the 88th minute. Related coverage: Football: Nadeshiko Japan suffer back-to-back defeats against Brazil FOCUS: As women's football grows in Europe, Japan aims to follow suit
The Mainichi
28-06-2025
- Sport
- The Mainichi
Football: Nadeshiko Japan beaten 3-1 by Spain in friendly
LEGANES, Spain (Kyodo) -- Japan took the lead but went down 3-1 away to a dominant Spain in a women's football international friendly on Friday, their third straight defeat in a month. Nadeshiko Japan won the SheBelieves Cup with three straight victories in February as their Danish manager Nils Nielsen, the first foreigner to lead the side, got his tenure off to a strong start. But a draw with Colombia at home in April and two losses to Brazil since late May have stalled momentum. After absorbing early pressure at Butarque Stadium in Leganes, Mina Tanaka gave seventh-ranked Japan the lead on the half-hour mark against World No. 2 Spain when she struck on the turn with her left foot following a pass from the right by Maika Hamano. Spain drew level in the 44th minute as Claudia Pina swept her shot through the legs of Japan captain Saki Kumagai, and the home side went ahead through Vicky Lopez in the 66th minute after Momoko Tanikawa lost possession just outside her own box. Mariona Caldentey rattled the bar with a free-kick before Athenea del Castillo found the top left corner of the net to complete the scoring in the 88th minute.
Kyodo News
28-06-2025
- Sport
- Kyodo News
Football: Nadeshiko Japan beaten 3-1 by Spain in friendly
KYODO NEWS - 33 minutes ago - 11:29 | Sports, All Japan took the lead but went down 3-1 away to a dominant Spain in a women's football international friendly on Friday, their third straight defeat in a month. Nadeshiko Japan won the SheBelieves Cup with three straight victories in February as their Danish manager Nils Nielsen, the first foreigner to lead the side, got his tenure off to a strong start. But a draw with Colombia at home in April and two losses to Brazil since late May have stalled momentum. After absorbing early pressure at Butarque Stadium in Leganes, Mina Tanaka gave seventh-ranked Japan the lead on the half-hour mark against World No. 2 Spain when she struck on the turn with her left foot following a pass from the right by Maika Hamano. Spain drew level in the 44th minute as Claudia Pina swept her shot through the legs of Japan captain Saki Kumagai, and the home side went ahead through Vicky Lopez in the 66th minute after Momoko Tanikawa lost possession just outside her own box. Mariona Caldentey rattled the bar with a free-kick before Athenea del Castillo found the top left corner of the net to complete the scoring in the 88th minute. Related coverage: Football: Nadeshiko Japan suffer back-to-back defeats against Brazil FOCUS: As women's football grows in Europe, Japan aims to follow suit
Kyodo News
05-06-2025
- Sport
- Kyodo News
Football: Nadeshiko Japan suffer back-to-back defeats against Brazil
KYODO NEWS - Jun 3, 2025 - 14:41 | Sports, All Japan went down 2-1 against Brazil in A women's football international friendly on Monday, ending their two-game series away to the South Americans with two defeats. Nadeshiko Japan fell to a 3-1 loss on Friday for their first defeat under new Danish manager Nils Nielsen and the world's fifth-ranked nation were beaten again by their eighth-ranked opponents at Cicero de Souza Marques Stadium in Sao Paulo. Manaka Matsukubo, one of six changes for Japan's starting XI, hit the post on a one-on-one with goalkeeper Lorena in the 28th minute before Kiko Seike, who scored a late consolation in their previous game, sent her shot wide after skipping past the keeper three minutes later. Despite a hint of offside, Seike gave Japan the lead a minute into the second half as she side-footed home Aoba Fujino's low cross delivered with the outside of her foot. Defender Rion Ishikawa turned the ball into her own net in the 54th minute, however, allowing Brazil to draw level after keeper Ayaka Yamashita completely missed the ball from a corner. Seike hit the post minutes later before Brazil hit Japan on a counter for the 79th-minute winner as substitute Jhonson dinked her shot past Yamashita. Related coverage: Football: Nadeshiko Japan drop opener of friendly series in Brazil Japanese footballer in Australia arrested in betting scandal Football: Wataru Endo lifts trophy as Liverpool celebrate title with fans
