Japan earned a place in the women’s football World Cup for a fourth straight time when they defeated Mexico 2-0 in the second leg of a home-and-away playoff on Saturday.
US outfit Atlanta Beat midfielder Homare Sawa headed home the opening goal past Mexican goalkeeper Pamela Tajonar in the 56th minute thanks to a nice pass produced by Emi Yamamoto from just outside the left corner of the box.
In the 83rd minute, second-half substitute Karina Maruyama quickly flicked in at the Mexican goal mouth after skipper Yumi Obe sent a long pass on a free kick far from the midfield.
Japan, who failed to qualify earlier after finishing fourth in the Asian championship, lost a goal lead twice to be held to a 2-2 draw in Mexico City in the first leg a week ago.
A goalless draw or a 1-1 draw was enough for Japan to beat Mexico with better goals in an away game.
Japan joined defending champions the United States, North and South Korea, China, Australia, Canada, Germany, Norway, Russia, Sweden, France, Nigeria, Ghana, Brazil and Argentina in the September 20-October 12 event.
The women’s World Cup was re-located from China to the United States because of concerns over the deadly Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome.
Mexico finished third in the North/Central American qualifying round before playing Japan in the final playoff to miss the World Cup. – Sapa-AFP