After beginning the tournament with a commanding 5-0 win over Zambia, Japan Women will attempt to build upon their encouraging start when they face Costa Rica Women on Wednesday.

In contrast to their opponents, Costa Rica are still looking to get off the mark after losing to Spain in their opening game of the Women's World Cup 2023.

Match preview

After cruising to a 5-0 victory over Panama in their final warm-up game, Japan repeated that scoreline when they opened their World Cup campaign against Panama.

A Hinata Miyazawa brace as well as goals from Mina Tanaka, Jun Endo and Riko Ueki guided Japan to a comfortable win.

They have reached the knockout rounds in the last three World Cup finals, including in 2011 when they lifted the trophy for the first and only time in their history.

Futoshi Ikeda's side can qualify for the last 16 with a game to spare if they win and Spain play out a draw with Zambia.

Having won four of their last five internationals, Japan will be hoping to continue their impressive form at the Dunedin Stadium on Wednesday.

Costa Rica, who are making their second Women's World Cup finals appearance, began the tournament with a 3-0 defeat to Spain on Friday.

The margin of defeat could have been greater were it not for Daniela Solera, who made 10 saves during the game to keep Spain down to three goals.

The result prolongs Costa Rica's poor run of form, with their last 12 matches producing one win, two draws and nine defeats.

Las Ticas are also still looking for their first win at a World Cup, having drawn two and lost two of their four matches at the tournament.

Amelia Valverde's side know that they will be eliminated on Wednesday if they lose and Spain pick up at least a point against Zambia.

Team News

Despite coming off the bench to score in Japan's opening game, Ueki may have to settle for a place among the substitutes once again, with Ikeda set to name an unchanged lineup.

Rion Ishikawa will feature in a back three with Saki Kumagai and Moeka Minami, with the trio looking to begin the tournament with consecutive clean sheets.

After marking her first World Cup appearance with a brace, Miyazawa will be looking to enjoy another successful outing when she lines up in the front three alongside Aoba Fujina and Tanaka.

As for their opponents, Solera could be busy once again, but the Costa Rica goalkeeper will be hoping to receive assistance from her defence.

Fabiola Villalobos, Mariana Benavides and Valeria del Campo will feature in central defence, while Maria Coto and Cristin Granados are set to operate as the two wing-backs.

Maria Salas is expected to retain her place in the frontline, and the 21-year-old could be joined in a front three by Melissa Herrera and Priscila Chinchilla.

Japan Women possible starting lineup:
Yamashita; Ishikawa, Kumagai, Minami; Shimizu, Nagano, Hasegawa, Endo; Fujino, Miyazawa, Tanaka

Costa Rica Women possible starting lineup:
Vega; F. Villalobos, Benavides, Del Campo; Coto, G. Villalobos, Alvarado, Granados; Herrera, Chinchilla, Salas

We say: Japan Women 4-0 Costa Rica Women

After cruising to victory in their opening game against Zambia, we think that Japan will produce another dominant display to sweep past Costa Rica on Wednesday.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

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