Japan will bank on an amazing haul of several records and many milestones for them to defeat Nigeria’s Flamingos during Saturday’s final of the 2026 FIFA Women’s U17 World in Rabat, Morocco, Sports247 reports.
The most fearsome of all records the Japanese will count on for victory against Nigeria on Saturday is that they are now in their fourth final of the cadet championship, while their opponents are there for the first time.
In the same vein, while Nigeria only have a bronze medal to show from their single advent to the semi-finals in 2022, Japan previously won the cup in 2014, and they have been runners-up on two other occasions.
Dramatically, it’s not just past achievements the Land Of The Rising Sun will count on for victory on Saturday, as they have also pooled in a number of credible milestones at the ongoing championship for teenage girls, especially in terms of individual performances.
Among the many achievements enacted by the team fondly called ‘Little Nadeshiko’ are their tenth appearance in the competition, as well as champions in 2014 and twice runners-up (2010 and 2016).
Their overall haul of over 150 goals makes them the competition’s all-time top scorers, with a record 30 wins, nine draws and four losses heading into Morocco 2026 – where they have already netted 14.
At this year’s tournament in Morocco, Japan’s coach, Sadayoshi Shirai, has already pulled off five straight victories (four in regulation time, one via penalties), while making a record-breaking 16th appearance as a gaffer at the Female Cadet Mundial.
Japan also had a 100% record in Group D – with nine points, nine goals for, none against (Zambia 1-0, France 2-0, Venezuela 5-0) – with victories over three African countries en route to the final (Zambia in group stage play, Kenya in the round of 16 and Ghana in the quarter-finals).
Japan’s top scorers are Nanami Kurita and Mei Hanashiro with four each, plus two assists apiece from Fuki Ito and Yuka Kishida, while their last-gasp equaliser against DPR Korea (an own goal by Won Sol-gyong) was the nation’s 150th in the Female Cadet Mundial’s overall history.
Dramatically, the first goal Japan conceded at the ongoing championship was during their 3-1 round of 16 victory over Kenya, following which North Korea scored early in their all Asian semi-final tussle on Wednesday, before the lasses from Tokyo won the game on penalties after their last gasp equaliser.
Sports247 reports further that all these milestones tend to paint Japan as the side better placed to achieve victory in Saturday’s final – especially as they have beaten three other African teams in this year’s championship.
However, the Flamingos have already proven to be giant killers – as seen in their shock victories of the same scoreline (3-1) over North Korea and Brazil, thereby creating hope for all Nigerians that Coach Akeem Busari’s side will laugh last after the final whistle on Saturday.
