_Kirin Challenge Cup: Japão goleia Brasil

Daiane Menezes, right, of Brazil and Kozue Ando (..) JAPAN OUT, MANDATORY CREDIT, NO LICENSING IN CHINA, HONG KONG, JAPAN, SOUTH KOREA AND FRANCE Photo: Kyodo News / AP

KOBE, Japan (AP) — Women's World Cup champion Japan beat Brazil 4-1 on Thursday to win the three-team Kirin Cup tournament.

Japan took a 2-1 lead in the 58th minute when Yuki Nagasato headed in Aya Miyama's corner kick. Miyama gave Japan a two-goal cushion three minutes later when she pounced on a loose ball in the box.

Yuika Sugasawa completed the scoring in the last minute of regulation to ensure the hosts edged the United States on goal difference to win the tournament.

Japan opened the scoring early in the first half thanks to an own goal by Brazil's Daiane, who headed Miyama's long free kick into her own net.

Francielle equalized for Brazil on a free kick from 20 meters in first-half injury time.

Brazil was without Marta, the five-time FIFA women's world player of the year, who was left off the squad to prepare for matches with her Swedish club Tyreso.

Notícia: www.seattlepi.com

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_Kirin Challenge Cup: EUA vencem Brasil

A selecção dos EUA bateu, esta manha, o Brasil por 3-0 com golos de Carli Loyd, Shannon Boxx e Amy Rodriguez.

Lloyd smashed in an 18th-minute opener from close range before Boxx headed home Lauren Cheney's free kick less than five minutes later.

Rodriguez completed the scoring in the 83rd minute after another Cheney free kick triggered panic in Brazil's defence.

U.S. coach Pia Sundhage told reporters: "We looked good at set pieces and that's something we talked about so I'm happy about that.

"Playing teams like Japan and Brazil is always good preparation for the Olympics."

Japan are ranked third in the world, behind the U.S. and Germany, while Brazil are ranked fourth.

Only around 500 people watched the game due to the storm warnings.

Brazil were missing five-times FIFA Women's World Player of the Year Marta, on club duty in Sweden.

"It wasn't our best squad so we knew it would be a tough match," Brazil coach Jorge Barcellos said. "We wanted to give some younger players a chance before the Olympics."

Japan take on Brazil in the tournament's final game on Thursday.

(Reporting by Alastair Himmer in Tokyo, editing by Tony Jimenez)

Notícia: www.reuters.com

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_Kirin Challenge Cup: EUA empatam com Japão

SENDAI, Japan -- Alex Morgan scored in the 72nd minute to give the United States a 1-1 draw with Japan, the team that beat them in the final of the Women's world cup last year.

Yukari Kinga beat goalkeeper Hope Solo from close in to give Japan a 1-0 lead in the 32nd.

The United States created opportunities on the right wing, but Japan's superior speed was dangerous on the counterattack.

The exhibition tournament features three of the top four teams in the world. The U.S. is ranked No. 1 just ahead of Germany, while Japan is No. 3. The other team competing for the title, Brazil, is No. 4.

"I told them to keep pushing until the end," Japan coach Norio Sasaki said. "We could have used more precision in our passes."

"This was a very important game for us," U.S. coach Pia Sundhage said. "I'm very happy we had the chance to play against one of the best teams in the world, Japan, to prepare for the Olympics." Sundhage said the Americans still have a lot of building to do.

"It was way too defensive in the first half," Sundhage said. "We didn't look as good as we did in the World Cup."

Notícia: www.huffingtonpost.com

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