Defending champions Japan have been in red hot form and will be hoping to continue that when they face the 12th ranked side in Women's football, Netherlands. Japan kicked off their campaign with a 1-0 win over Switzerland following it with victories over Cameroon and Ecuador by 2-1 and 1-0 respectively.
However it is fair to say that the defending champions have hardly faced a stern test as yet, but the Dutch might be prepared to offer just that. Netherlands' qualification to the knock out stages was however not that straight forward. They did manage a victory over New Zealand but suffered a defeat at the hands of China. They however salvaged a draw in their last encounter against hosts Canada and thus managed to secure a place in the next round of the competition.
Netherlands will be hoping their young star Vivianne Miedema can hit the ground running when the two sides meet on Wednesday. Despite her young age, Miedema has managed 19 goals in just 26 international appearances and is definitely the player to look out for in the match.
The 18 year olds prodigal talent has resulted in her being linked to Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi, but the youngster has distanced herself from any comparisons.
“It always comes up in interviews and I’ve got a bit tired of it,” she said recently. “We don’t really have anything in common; I don’t look like him, I don’t play like him and we have different personalities.
"From what I can see, he is always in the background, hardly giving interviews. I like to be in front of the camera talking about the best thing there is: football.
“As a footballer, Messi is much more elegant with much more individual skill. The comparison does stroke my ego but it also means the pressure is greater. Everyone expects me to be scoring,” she told the Dutch press.
Her coach Roger Reijners is however full of praise of her young star and has suggested that Miedema could stand out as one of the players of the tournament.
“She has got qualities ordinary footballers don’t have. She gives our team that something extra,” he said.
If Netherlands are to get anything out of the match it is important that the Bayern Munich star brings her A-game to the match.
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