HAMILTON – A scintillating Japanese attack has made a statement of intent today that this is their World Cup to lose following a comprehensive 7-1 thrashing of European heavyweights France at Waikato Stadium.

Among the six first half goals was the fastest ever hat trick in FIFA Women’s World Cup history by Chinatsu Kira who scored three goals in eight minutes against a shell shocked French defense.

Japan have qualified for the quarterfinals with the win which sets up a sudden death playoff between USA and France for second spot on Wednesday – where the loser will face elimination.

A Hamilton crowd of 4,115 witnesses a breathtaking afternoon of slick off ball movement, precise passing and clinical finishing from a Japanese attack spare headed by their pocket dynamo Mana Iwabuchi.

Yuiko Inoue opened the scoring for Japan in the 10th minute after latching onto an inch perfect defence splitting pass from Chiaki Chimada.

But France responded immediately when lightning quick Marina Makanza broke down the left hand side and fired a right footed shot at goalkeeper Saki Nakamura who could only parry it into the path of Marine Augis.

The early equaliser gave the impression that an exciting afternoon of end to end football was on the cards – but it turned out all the action was at one end.

Japan captain Natsuki Kishikawa reinstated the lead from the penalty spot in the 20th minute after Ines Jaurena brought down Mana Iwabuchi in the box.

Then it was time for the Kira and Iwabuchi show. The two Japanese stars combined with a combination of back heels, clever runs and clinical understanding to tear the French backline apart.

In the 26th minute Kira was first to react after Iwabuchi’s shot was parried away by goalkeeper Laetitia Phillipe and slotted home her first. Less then one minute later she made it two after a great jinxing run by Yuiko Inoue down the right found her clever far post run that she met with a crashing header into the back of the net.

Kira capped off the hat trick six minutes later – sliding in to finish off a Yuko Takeyama cross after she had done well to beat the right back.

Chiaki Shimada made it six just before halftime, finishing off a clever one two with Iwabuchi before smashing the return ball into the top corner.

Shell shocked French coach Gerard Sergent rested star striker Pauline Crammer at halftime in preparation for their do or die match on Tuesday against the USA.

The second half played out like a match that was over with Japan resting their stars and France lacking impetus going forward.

Japanese captain Natsuki Kishikawa finished the scoring in the 57th minute with her second goal of the afternoon, heading home a Chiaki Shimada free kick at the far post.

The French standout was goalkeeper Laetitia Phillipe who prevented the scoreline getting any taller with a number of professional saves late in the match.

But the day belonged to the Japanese who must now be seen as tournament favourites.

Sergent was full of admiration for the performance of the Japanese side.

“Japan was faster, stronger, and more technical. They were almost scientific, synchronised with their understanding and rhythm," he said.

“I was impressed by the level, the intensity of their play.”

“Our team made some technical mistakes and after that it was too hard to get back into the game. They had 3-4 players who were on top. They were too good for the team.

He praised the efforts of his keeper, Laetitia Philippe, in preventing the loss being even bigger, with superb saves.

“We still have one chance to win and get to the quarterfinals. We will give everything we have.”

Japanese Coach Hiroshi Yoshida was delighted with the performance of his side.

“We are very happy with the result. We will now be able to use our subs in our final group match," he said.

He said he did not change tactics despite the huge first half lead.

“I wanted the players to continue in the same way.

“It was an ideal situation to get six goals in the first half, but I also think the condition of the French team was not that good."

“I have been telling the players, no matter how beautiful the football is, they still have to score. Scoring goals is everything."

He admitted the team’s chemistry changed when Iwabuchi and Kira were not on the pitch.

“They work together very well. But if Iwabuchi comes off it is very difficult for the frontline.

“My aim (I taking them off) was to give those two a rest and give some confidence to other players, but it didn’t quite work like I intended.”

Iwabuchi has a slight neck injury from a second half collision.

Japan (6) 7

USA (1) 1

Waikato Stadium

Hamilton

New Zealand

Saturday 2 November 2008

Kick-off: 16h00

Attendance:

JPN: 1. Saki NAKAMURA; 2. Kozue CHIBA; 3. Minori CHIBA (4. Nagisa OKUDA 64’); 5.Natsuki KISHIKAWA (c); 6.Natsumi KAMEOKA; 7. Chiaki SHIMADA; 8. Yuko TAKEYAMA; 9. Chinatsu KIRA (15.Saori TAKAHASHI 59’); 10. Mana IWABUCHI (19.Haruka HAMADA 68’); 11. Akane SAITO; 12. Yuiko INOUE;

Substitutes not used: 13. Takako SUGIYAMA; 16. Sakiko IKEDA; 17.Minami ISHIDA; 18. Marika OHSIMA; 20. Yoko TANAKA; 21. Ayaka SAITOH; 14. Kei YOSHIOKA;

Yellow cards:

Red cards:

Coach: Hiroshi YOSHIDA(JPN)

FRA: 1. Laetitia PHILIPPE; 3. Caroline LA VILLA; 5. Anaig BUTEL; 7. Ines JAURENA; 8. Charlotte POULAIN; 9. Pauline CRAMMER (20. Camille CATALA 46’); 10. Solene BARBANCE (18. Justine DUBOIS 46’); 11. Marina MAKANZA;12. Marine AUGIS (17. Kelly PERDRIZET 73’); 13. Rose LAVAUD 14. Kelly GADEA;

Substitutes not used: 2. Floriane HELLIO; 4. Adeline ROUSSEAU;  6. Lea RUBIO; 15. Charlene OLIVIER; 16. Solene CHAUVET; 19. Cindy THOMAS; 21. Laura GUILLEUX;

Yellow cards:

Red cards:

Coach: Gerard SERGENT(FRA)

Group C Standings:

  MP W D L GF GA GD Pts
Japan 2 2 0 0 10 3 7 6
USA 2 1 0 1 5 4 1 3
France 2 1 0 1 7 9 -2 3
Paraguay 2 0 0 2 3 9 -6 0