Japan Snaps USWNT Unbeaten Streak
Written by Oluwaseun Oyediji
The United States Women’s National Team (USWNT) suffered their first loss under head coach Emma Hayes on Wednesday, falling 2-1 to Japan and ceding the SheBelieves Cup title for the first time in five years.
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In her post-game remarks, Hayes called the tournament winners “without question one of the best teams in the world, with players that are extremely well played-in together.”
Top scorer Mina Tanaka took home the Best Player award, after leading Japan to their first-ever SheBelieves Cup title.
Needing only a draw to lift the trophy thanks to goal differential, Japan’s Yūka Momiki opened scoring almost immediately, putting the Nadeshiko up 1-0 in the second minute after a scramble in the USWNT’s penalty area.
The USWNT drew level in the 14th minute behind Ally Sentnor’s second tournament goal before second-half sub-Tōko Koga slotted in the game-winner shortly after taking the pitch.
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While the United States (US) walked away defeated, Hayes remained adamant that prioritizing player pool evaluation and showcasing less experienced players over winning at all costs would pay off in the long run.
“You’re comparing Hasegawa to a 17-year-old for us,” Hayes told TBS, referencing 28-year-old world-renown Japan and Man City defensive midfielder Yui Hasegawa.
“Let’s have some perspective. I think it’s important to be calm in this moment.”
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“It’s okay to be disappointed — I told the players that,” she added.
“It’s really important to remember moments like this and the learnings that we take from it… [You] learn the most important things when you play a top-class opponent. I’d rather do that now than much later.”
Any loss stings for the world’s No. 1 team, but Hayes’s outspoken commitment to developing young players as the USWNT starts down the long road to the next major tournament leaves fans no option but to trust the process.
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