Japan destroys Tanzania 9-0 to book quarters berth at women’s futsal worlds

Matches on Monday

(PhilSports Arena)

6 p.m. – Argentina vs Colombia

8:30 p.m. – Spain vs Morocco

MANILA, Philippines — Japan forged a quarterfinal duel with heavy favorite Brazil in the FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup after sealing its advance with a 9-0 demolition of Tanzania Saturday at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig.

Ryo Egawa (first and 34th minutes) and Yuka Iwazaki (26th and 27th minutes) fired two goals piece to spark the reigning Asian champions past the Tanzanians and into the KO rounds as Group C runner-up with six points on two wins and one loss behind unbeaten Portugal, which is assured of top seeding at six points (two victories) with a game to spare.

Naomi Matsumoto (4’), Mizuki Nakamura (18’), Kaho Ito (24’), Kyoka Takahashi (27’) and Anna Amishiro (33’) joined the scoring fray as the Nadeshiko Five beat the Tanzanians (three points on one win, two losses) for the right to face Group D topnotcher Brazil in the Last-8 on Tuesday.

The fancied Brazilians had placed a lock on No. 1 in Group D after winning their first two assignments in the prestigious meet supported by the Philippine Sports Commission and Philippine Football Federation.

Meanwhile, Colombia joined the march to the KO rounds as Group B No. 2 via a 4-1 dispatching of Thailand Friday night.

Skipper Merlin Salcedo fired a brace in between Diana Celis and Danna Rodriguez’ strikes to power the Colombians to their second win in three matches and into a quarters faceoff with Group A ruler Argentina.

Group B No. 1 Spain (nine points) brought out the broom against also-ran Canada, 7-0, to prime up for Monday’s quarters showdown with Group A second-placer Morocco.