Japan's Momoko Tanikawa in action against Tanzania.
PANAJI
A high-flying Japan take on a technically superior Spain in a mouthwatering FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup quarterfinal at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Fatorda on Saturday.
The Samurai Blues comfortably topped Group D, beating both Tanzania and Canada by four goals while seeing off France 2-0 in their final game. They are also the only team to have registered a clean sheet in each match so far and will be brimming with confidence in their showdown against Spain.
All eyes will be on Japan's midfield general, Momoko Tanikawa who has had a splendid campaign with three goals to her name. The 17-year-old plays an important role in the middle of the park with her ability to spray pin-point passes and find teammates with her incredible crossing range.
Meanwhile, defending champions Spain haven't had it easy, finishing second behind Colombia in Group C by goal difference. The Spaniards racked up two hard-fought 1-0 victories against Colombia and China while losing to Mexico by two goals to one.
Star striker Carla Camacho is yet to find the net for Spain. The Real Madrid forward played a vital role in Spain's 2022 UEFA Women's Under-17 Championship run back in May, finding the net thrice including in the final where they eventually lost to Germany on penalties.
Head coach Kenio Gonzalo will be banking on Camacho to break Japan's clean sheet record and send Spain to the semifinals on October 26 which will also be played at Fatorda.
In the other quarterfinal, Colombia will go up against Tanzania in an earlier kickoff. The South American side will be expected to beat Tanzania. However, the Serengeti Girls have demonstrated their potential to play hardball in the group stage and taking them lightly could prove costly.
