Soccer: Japan lose to Spain in women's friendly

Japan lost to Spain 1-0 in an international women's soccer friendly Tuesday in Seville during a preview of their group-stage encounter at next summer's World Cup.

World No. 11 Nadeshiko Japan lost their final two matches of the year, having suffered a 4-0 defeat to European champions England four days earlier in Murcia, Spain.

Alba Redondo Ferrer scored nine minutes into the match for sixth-ranked Spain as Claudia Zornoza Sanchez's long-range shot hit the bar and fell to the forward to slot home.

Japan came close to equalizing on numerous occasions, including Mina Tanaka being one-on-one against Spain goalkeeper Misa Rodriguez during the first half.

"It was a match we had to win," Japan captain Saki Kumagai said. "We didn't score a goal after creating so many chances. That's a big issue."

"This is reality. This is the world. I feel a huge gap between the world's top teams and us."

At the 2023 Women's World Cup to be co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand between July 20 and Aug. 20, Japan will face Zambia, Costa Rica, and Spain in Group C.

© Kyodo News