A hat-trick from skipper Homare Sawa and a first half Shinobu Ohno goal booked Japan a quarter-final berth at the women's World Cup with a 4-0 win over Mexico on Friday. It was a magnificent individual performance from Sawa, competing in her fifth World Cup, which stole the show as she lifted the Japanese to just their second quarter-finals after 1995.
The 32-year-old combined perfectly with fellow midfielder Aya Miyama to score two early goals after 13 and 39 minutes, adding her third on 80 minutes for a Japanese World Cup record. Ohno netted after 15 minutes. "Even for myself it was a bit of a surprise," said Sawa. "I didn't dare imagine I could score so many as three goals. "The first and second were in combination with Miyama and she really gave me a nice ball. You could also say they're Aya's goals too." Mexican coach Leonardo Cuellar admitted his side were shell-shocked. "To take two goals so soon shook the team. They didn't allow us to settle. It's difficult to catch up against a team that is very technical and skilful," said a tearful Cuellar.
The Japanese demolished Cuellar's young side to achieve their second win in as many games after their 2-1 opening success against New Zealand. With a maximum six points they are assured of one of the two group qualifying spots to advance to the final eight with one group game to go. Nicknamed 'the Nadeshiko' - a pink flower symbolising grace and beauty - the Japanese showed their mettle as they overwhelmed Mexico from the outset. Sawa, the country's record 168-capped player, headed in after 13 minutes from a perfectly delivered Miyama freekick and two minutes later her INAC Leonessa team-mate Ohno doubled their account from a Yuki Nagasto cross.