Ghana vs Japan LIVE: Score, Goals and Updates From FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup Quarter-Final
Ghana 0-0 Japan: Half-time analysis
The Black Maidens have looked like a shadow of the side that impressed against Argentina in the previous round. However, goalkeeper Belinda Akile and the defence have remained alert, keeping Japan at bay despite sustained pressure.
Ghana have managed to preserve their clean sheet, marking only the second time in the tournament that Japan have gone into the break without scoring.
Nonetheless, their high press has disrupted the Maidens’ rhythm and contributed to their struggles in the opening half. The Asian side have pressed aggressively, won possession and come out on top in several duels, capitalising on Ghana’s turnovers to keep the pressure on.
The only thing missing from Japan’s dominant display has been a goal, with Ghana’s backline holding firm.
Coach Joe Nana Adarkwa's charges, meanwhile, will hope to improve after the restart, having been more effective in second halves throughout the tournament.
Their midfield must take greater control, retain possession and provide better service to Jessica Appiah, who was often left isolated up front.
The introduction of Zeinab Shani could prove important, with the substitute already winning a free-kick in a dangerous area; if she continues to combine well with Appiah, she could offer Ghana a valuable attacking outlet.
HT: Ghana 0-0 Japan
41 min: Japan’s corner comes to nothing as Ghana’s defence deals comfortably with the delivery.
43 min: Substitute Zeinab Shani does well to win a free-kick just outside Japan’s penalty area after being brought down by an opponent. A promising opportunity for the Maidens!
44 min: Juliana Gyekyewaa curls her effort towards goal, but the ball drifts wide, allowing Japan to breathe a sigh of relief.
45 min: Japan push forward in search of a late first-half breakthrough, but Ghana’s defence remains resolute and keeps the attackers at bay.
45+1 min: Despite dominating possession and registering more attempts on goal, Japan fail to find a way past Ghana before the referee blows for half-time.
Ghana 0-0 Japan: The Black Maidens are living dangerously
31 min: Ghana are caught offside as they attempt to break through Japan’s defence, which has conceded just once throughout the tournament.
33 min: Japan restarts play with goalkeeper Kadowaki sending a long ball forward, but her teammates fail to make the most of it, allowing Ghana to win a goal kick.
34 min: The ball is played into midfield, where Japan attempt to recycle possession before giving it away. Ghana regain control briefly but also surrender the ball.
35 min: Japan patiently builds from the back, and Kurita gets into her stride before attempting a shot from inside Ghana’s penalty area. However, goalkeeper Belinda Akile is alert and makes the save.
36 min: Japan win a free-kick and send the delivery towards the far post, but it is overhit, and no teammate can get on the end of it.
37 min: Ghana try to make progress in possession, but their move breaks down after an overhit pass intended for an attacker on the right flank. Japan regain the ball.
38 min: Japan rushes their clearance, handing Ghana an opportunity to attack. The Maidens move into the box, where Jessica Appiah looks to capitalise, but the assistant referee raises the flag for offside.
39 min: Japan restarts quickly but briefly loses possession. Ghana, however, hand it straight back after Appiah fouls her marker while trying to win the ball.
40 min: Japan has a promising set-piece opportunity in a dangerous area. The ball is delivered into the box, and goalkeeper Akile nearly gets into trouble with a mistimed attempt to punch it clear. Ghana survives the scare, but Japan wins a corner.
Ghana 0-0 Japan: Black Maidens hold on with little attacking improvement
22 min: Japan’s free-kick attempt following an earlier foul is comfortably kept out by Ghana goalkeeper Belinda Akile.
23 min: Ghana continue to undermine their own efforts with misplaced passes and unforced errors, repeatedly surrendering possession to the Japanese.
24 min: The Maidens win a foul and try to build an attack, switching play from left to right. A defence-splitting pass is then played towards Jessica Appiah, but Japan goalkeeper Kadowaki comes off her line to gather the ball.
25 min: Japan remain unfazed by Ghana’s brief attacking spell and quickly look to regain control.
26 min: The Japanese enjoy another spell of possession, moving the ball around with confidence and ease.
27 min: A cross is delivered into Ghana’s penalty area, but Japan’s attacker is flagged offside after making a late run from the far post. The Maidens then push forward in search of an opening of their own.
28 min: Ghana’s attack breaks down, allowing Japan to restart with a throw-in. The Maidens regain possession, but their effort on goal fails to trouble the Japanese defence, who quickly take control again.
29 min: Ghana win a free-kick on the left flank but are forced to retreat under pressure, eventually losing possession.
30 min: The Maidens attempt a counterattack through Shani on the right, but her trickery fails to draw a favourable decision from the referee, who awards Japan a free-kick.
Ghana 0-0 Japan: The Asians are knocking on Ghana's doors
11 min: Ghana have spent much of the opening period on the back foot and must find their rhythm quickly to avoid being punished by Japan’s clinical approach.
13 min: The Asians continue to push for the breakthrough, creating a couple of half-chances as they probe Ghana’s defence. However, the ball eventually goes out of play, giving the Maidens a brief respite.
15 min: Ghana’s backline remains under sustained pressure, with Japan relentless in their pursuit of the opening goal since kick-off.
16 min: An early change for Ghana as head coach Joe Nana Adarkwah withdraws Mavis Koah and introduces Zeinab Shani.
17 min: The substitution does little to slow Japan’s momentum as they resume their attacking efforts, but the move breaks down, and Ghana win a throw-in.
18 min: The score remains goalless, although Japan looks the more threatening side as Ghana continues to search for their rhythm. The Asians are awarded a free-kick after the referee penalises a Ghanaian player for handball, and they patiently work the ball around in an attempt to unlock the Maidens’ compact defence.
19 min: After enduring a sustained spell of pressure, Ghana finally manage to carry the ball into Japan’s half, but their attack comes to nothing.
20 min: Japan remain on the front foot, probing persistently as they search for the opening goal.
Ghana 0-0 Japan: The Black Maidens hold Japan
The pre-match formalities are complete, and kick-off is just moments away. With a place in the semi-finals at stake, both sides have a date with destiny, while Ghana will hope that winning the coin toss proves to be a good omen.
1 min: Japan gets the match underway but immediately send the ball out of play. Ghana take the defensive throw-in and attempt to build from the back, only to be frustrated by Japan’s high press.
2 min: The Maidens make a promising move down the right as they try to break into Japan’s half, but a timely intervention brings the attack to an end. Belinda Kpentey then concedes a foul near the centre circle. Ghana deals with the resulting free-kick but give away another one in midfield moments later.
3 min: Ghana lose possession again as Japan’s goalkeeper Kadowaki sends a long pass forward that fails to find its target. The Maidens take the resulting throw-in, but Japan win the ball back before Sato commits a foul on a Ghanaian player. Free-kick to Ghana.
4 min: The Black Maidens are yet to find their rhythm, with Japan’s pressing and movement making it difficult for them to find passing options.
5 min: Japan wins a corner, but Ghana escapes an even bigger scare after Juliana Gyekyewaa races back to clear the danger before a Japanese attacker can pounce. The corner is delivered, and although the ball breaks loose in the box, Ghana briefly threatens on the counter before the opportunity fades.
6 min: Japan patiently work the ball from the back but struggle to find a route through Ghana’s defence.
7 min: The Maidens are taking a risk at the back! A misplaced attempt to play out nearly presents Japan with an opportunity, but Ghana’s defenders react quickly to avert the danger.
8 min: Ghana restart with a goal kick and send the ball long, but struggle to hold on to possession as Japan win another duel. A foul on a Japanese player gives them a free-kick in midfield, but the delivery fails to find a teammate.
9 min: Ghana continue to struggle with their build-up play, forcing Jessica Appiah to help her teammates deal with the pressure. Japan regain possession after a hesitant clearance and keep pushing forward, with Oshita testing goalkeeper Belinda Akile with a low drive that is comfortably gathered.
10 min: The Maidens finally make some headway into Japan’s half and win an attacking throw-in, offering them an opportunity to apply pressure.
