Japan shocked the world four years ago when they beat the United States in the 2011 Women’s World Cup final. It was a fantastic performance and a well-earned title that serves as the highlight of the most successful period of Japanese women’s football. Since then, Japan have finished second in the Olympics and won the AFC Women’s Asian Cup, and now they have their eyes set on a second straight World Cup victory.
Japan vs. Switzerland, World Cup 2015: Time, TV schedule and how to watch online
Japan are about ready to kick off their World Cup title defense against a good Switzerland side.
Masashi Hara/Getty Images
First, though, they have to get past Switzerland. The Swiss ladies are in their first-ever major championship, having not qualified for a single Women’s World Cup or European Championship before. This isn’t the same pushover side they once were, though. Under the guidance of Martina Voss-Tecklenburg since 2012, La Nati has become a dynamic force in Europe, and they easily won their qualifying group, winning nine of their 10 matches and drawing the 10th. Now they’re ready to take the world by storm, and an upset win over Japan to kick off the World Cup would be a pretty fantastic way to do just that.
Key player -- Aya Miyama (Japan)
Miyama is a delightful player in Japan's midfield, a hard-working creative maestra with a panache for scoring goals herself, as well. With Homare Sawa nearing the end of her career, this is increasingly becoming Miyama's team to run, and she's responded well to the challenge. If anyone's going to pull this team along by the scruff of the neck to try and defend their title, it's going to be her.
Key Matchup -- Aya Sameshima (Japan) vs. Martina Moser (Switzerland)
Moser is one of Switzerland's greatest and most underrated goal threats, and will require special attention to make sure she doesn't take over the game. That task will largely fall on the shoulders of Sameshima, one of Japan's most experienced defenders. She's the one who mans the left flank for her country, the side Moser tends to spend most of her time on. It'll be a fun little duel to watch, seeing which of these two canny players can get one over on the other.
Match Date/Time: Monday, 10 p.m. ET, 7 p.m. local
Venue: BC Place Stadium, Vancouver
TV: Fox Sports 1 (U.S.), TSN 1, 3, 4, 5 (Canada), NHK Japan (Japan), RTS Sport, SRF zwei (Switzerland)
Online: Fox Sports Go and Fox Soccer 2 Go (U.S. -- English), NBC Deportes En Vivo Extra (U.S. -- Spanish)
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