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A draw that feels like a victory: Italy’s Women’s Under-20 National Team have finished top of their group after a 1-1 draw with Japan. Knowing that either a win or a draw would be enough to finish ahead of Japan and the United States in a group widely regarded beforehand as a daunting one simply to progress from, the Azzurrine delivered a composed performance and were rarely troubled. Attention now turns to Wednesday 16 September, when Matteucci’s side will begin the knockout stage at 18:30 in the Polish city of Sosnowiec against a third-placed team from Group E or F. Italy’s round-of-16 opponents will therefore be one of Colombia, Portugal, China or Nigeria, with the final line-up to be determined by tomorrow’s results.
A visibly delighted Nicola Matteucci reflected on Italy’s performance after the final whistle: “It was a very difficult group, with teams of real quality, so finishing top makes us extremely proud. The girls have gone above and beyond and shown what a strong group they are. If you want to get results, there is no substitute for being united.
“I’m also very pleased with what we showed today. We knew this game would require a huge amount of hard work and sacrifice, and defensively we were excellent. We limited the space in behind and then broke forward with real quality.”
One of the standout performers was Caterina Venturelli. Back in the side after serving a two-match suspension, the Sassuolo player produced an outstanding display, showing excellent decision-making and concentration even while operating in the unfamiliar role of centre-back. “We are a really strong and close-knit team, and I want to thank my team-mates again because, even though my suspension kept me out of the first two matches, they always made me feel comfortable and fully part of the group. Today we managed both the possession and defensive phases well. There are still certain areas where we need to improve, but we can go a long way.”
The match. Compared with the game against the United States, Japan coach Ijiri retains just five players in his starting line-up, while Matteucci is forced to do without Tosello, who is not even on the bench after feeling unwell overnight. Testa is officially named among the substitutes but is unable to play because of muscle fatigue. Italy’s midfield therefore features Fadda, Langella and Catena, with the latter two making their first starts of the tournament. Appiah and Pellegrino Cimò are once again paired in attack, while Venturelli, available again after completing her two-match suspension, lines up at the heart of the Azzurrine defence.
Despite knowing that a win or a draw would be enough, Italy continued to take the initiative. The first real chance of the game, however, fell to Japan in the 12’, when Sato drove forward, before a right-footed effort from 20 metres went narrowly wide.
Long-range shooting proved to be one of Japan’s main attacking outlets, with the Azzurrine defence giving them very little space in the final third. Hara went close with another effort from distance a few minutes later, the ball flashing just wide by a matter of centimetres.
The tempo remained relatively low and Matteucci’s side were rarely troubled, comfortably seeing out the first half with the score still 0-0.
The second half began with a setback for Italy as captain Gallo is forced off and replaced by Bressan, who slotted into the centre of defence. Moments later, a seemingly harmless cross struck Nakamura’s outstretched arm. Following a VAR review, Canadian referee Marcotte pointed to the spot.
Fadda makes no mistake from the penalty spot, sending the Japan goalkeeper the wrong way to put the Azzurrine 1-0 ahead.
Aware that the United States were building a commanding lead over New Zealand in the other group game, and with the possible permutations in the other sections in mind, Japan began to raise the tempo in search of the equaliser that would at least guarantee their place in the round of 16. Italy, though, created the next big chance. Substitute Zamboni let fly from distance, rattling the crossbar of Iwasaki’s goal. Japan continued to push, but struggled to carve out any clear openings. Just as the Azzurrine appeared to have everything under control, however, Tago found the equaliser with ten minutes remaining. From a corner, she miscued her effort but somehow sends the ball looping over Belli and into the net for 1-1.
At that point, both sides appeared content with the scoreline, and the game ran its course towards a draw. At the final whistle, the Azzurrine could celebrate: Italy have finished top of the group.
Italy 1-1 Japan (0-0 HT)
ITALY: Belli; Gallo (9’st Bressan), Consolini, Cocino; Venturelli, Fadda (22’st Cherubini), Langella, Catena (40’st Sciabica), Galli; Pellegrino Cimò (22’st Zamboni), Appiah (40’st Ventriglia). Subs: Tornaghi, Di Nallo, Testa, Lombardi. Coach: Matteucci
JAPAN: Iwasaki; Aso, Sato (18’st Suzuki), Ota, Hara (40’st Aoki); Higuchi (18’st Matsunaga), Honda, Nakamura (28’st Furuta); Fukushima, Shinjo, Tsuda (28’st Tago). Subs: Ishida, Nawa, Matsuzawa, Sano, Kurimoto. Coach: Ijiri
Referee: Marcotte (CAN). Assistant referees: Lemieux (CAN) and Rensch (SUR). Fourth official: Straub (BRA)
Goals: 14’st Fadda pen., 35’st Tago
Added time: 0’pt, 4’st
World Cup squad
Goalkeepers: Elena Belli (Inter), Erica Di Nallo (Vicenza), Lavinia Tornaghi (Milan);
Defenders: Martina Bressan (Inter), Martina Cocino (Aarau), Lidia Consolini (Inter), Azzurra Gallo (Tolosa), Emma Lombardi (Fiorentina), Martina Tosello (Cesena), Caterina Venturelli (Sassuolo);
Midfielders: Giada Catena (Res Donna Roma), Maya Cherubini (Fiorentina), Paola Fadda (Sassuolo), Gabriella Langella (Napoli Women), Sofia Testa (Ternana Women), Marta Zamboni (Como Women);
Forwards: Karen Appiah (Cesena), Giulia Galli (Barcellona), Giada Pellegrino Cimò (Roma), Manuela Sciabica (Lazio), Rosanna Ventriglia (Ternana Women).
Staff – Head coach: Nicola Matteucci; methodology coach: Fabio Andolfo; assistant coach: Erika Lisi; goalkeeping coach: Mattia Volpi; fitness coaches: Lorenzo Corsi and Vincenzo Piermatteo; match analyst: Alessandro Rossi; doctors: Michela Cammarano and Andrea Gattelli; physiotherapists: Marco Fiore and Eugenio Zarcone; nutritionist: Vito Flavio Vallet