WELLINGTON –
Japan defender Moeka Minami knows Spanish soccer very well and believes the Group C decider in the New Zealand capital on Monday could be a FIFA Women’s World Cup classic between two teams playing in a similar style.
Japan and Spain have been two of the tournament’s standout teams and both have qualified for the last 16 already after dominant wins over Zambia and Costa Rica.
Minami says she has always admired the Spanish style of play when she has come across it in European competition and in age-group tournaments for Japan.
"There are many players that I have played before and they have really good understanding with their team mates," the 24-year-old Roma center back told reporters on Sunday. "I respect the team very much so that whenever I play a Spanish team, it’s kind of more like a final for me.
"They play in a similar style to Japan as well so I think we will have a very interesting match this time. We have to give the opposition lots of respect and make sure that we do our best to present the best of our team as well."
Spain’s quality in midfield made it hard for its first two opponents to contain the Europeans, who have scored eight goals and conceded none in their two matches so far.
Japan is not far behind with seven goals and none conceded, although the team did lose to Spain in a friendly in Seville last November.
"We lost 1-0 but we had just started playing three at the back at the time," Minami recalled. "Now we have a lot more experience of it and we’ve been talking together to really shape it.
"Spain used different players in that match and so will we tomorrow so I think we can actually maintain our mindset as a different team rather than dwell on the previous pain."
The 2011 world champion has conceded only two goals in its last six matches — evidence that Japan’s defensive system has now bedded in.
Minami acknowledged Spain will present a tougher proposition, but added that would be good preparation for challenges to come at the World Cup.
"I think we’ve been doing what we’re supposed to do," she said. "Spain is going to attack us but I think if we keep the goals to the minimum and have a good defensive performance, that’s good preparation for the knockout stage."