Japan’s women’s Under-20 coaching staff have announced their starting line-up for the decisive World Cup meeting with the United States, with kick-off scheduled for 16:00 GMT.
The fixture brings together two of the leading nations in women’s football at this age level, and Japan have opted to retain the structure used in their previous matches. The selection reflects a strong defensive base alongside an emphasis on pace in attack, with the coaching staff relying on the experience gathered during the tournament so far.
Uruha Iwasaki starts in goal, wearing the number one shirt.
The defensive line is made up of Yuna Aoki, Tamami Aso, Yura Honda and Asako Furuta. They will form the team’s defensive block for a match expected to demand concentration and discipline against the United States.
Japan’s midfield includes Natsumi Tago, Noa Fukushima, Miharu Shinjo, Haruko Suzuki and Momoka Sano. The five players are expected to provide the structure linking the defence and attack, while supporting the team’s intention to move forward quickly when opportunities arise.
Yuka Kurimoto has been selected as the team’s lone attacker.
The official Japan line-up is:
Goalkeeper 1. Uruha Iwasaki
Defenders 2. Yuna Aoki 3. Tamami Aso 5. Yura Honda 6. Asako Furuta
Midfielders 9. Natsumi Tago 13. Noa Fukushima 14. Miharu Shinjo 15. Haruko Suzuki 17. Momoka Sano
Forward 19. Yuka Kurimoto
The announcement confirms a largely consistent approach from Japan’s coaching staff before a match carrying major significance. Rather than making a wholesale change, the manager has maintained a compact defensive set-up and selected a midfield designed to support a fast attacking game.
The United States will provide the opposition in the 16:00 GMT contest, which is being presented as a meeting between two of the strongest teams in the women’s Under-20 game. Japan’s starting XI combines four defenders, five midfielders and a single forward, with the shape intended to balance defensive solidity and attacking speed.
With the starting players now confirmed, attention turns to the decisive encounter itself. Japan will begin the match with Iwasaki behind Aoki, Aso, Honda and Furuta; Tago, Fukushima, Shinjo, Suzuki and Sano in midfield; and Kurimoto leading the attack.