Futsal Women’s World Cup: Brazil, Japan collide for semis berth

Matches Tuesday

(PhilSports Arena)

6 p.m. – Portugal vs Italy

8:30 P.M. – Brazil vs Japan

MANILA, Philippines — Top-ranked Brazil battles reigning Asian champion Japan in a high-stakes quarterfinal matchup in the FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup Tuesday at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.

The fancied Brazilians seek to continue their rampage after sweeping their way to the No. 1 seeding in Group D in the 8:30 p.m. fixture and secure their projected spot in the semifinals at the expense of the Group C runner-up Japanese.

Ranked fifth in the world, Nadeshiko Five are out to carry the fight for Asians in the 16-nation meet backed by the Philippine Sports Commission and Philippine Football Federation after the Filipina5, Thailand and Iran bombed out in the group stage.

Meanwhile, it’s a Euro versus Euro feature in the other quarterfinal draw as Portugal and Italy clash.

The Portuguese go into the 6 p.m. encounter with an unbeaten three-match run in Group C while the Italians needed a come-from-behind 3-1 victory over the Iranians in the final match of the eliminations to advance as Group D No. 2.

The winner of Tuesday’s fixtures will progress to the semifinals set for Friday.

It will join the victors of the Monday night’s opening quarterfinal matches pitting B1 Spain against A2 Morocco, and A1 Argentina versus B2 Colombia.