The result, coupled with Spain’s 2-0 win over Brazil enabled Japan to finish second in Group C to book their berth in the last eight where they will meet the winners of Group B on Saturday.
Futoshi Ikeda made five changes to the line-up that started in the win over Brazil with Hikaru Kitagawa, Rion Ishikawa, Honoka Hayashi, Maika Hamano and Riko Ueki all given starts against a Nigerian side that had lost against Brazil and Spain.
A moment of quality in the 22nd minute saw Japan come to life as Yui Hasegawa produced a defence-splitting pass for Ueki to run onto, with the West Ham United FC Women player squaring to Hamano for the simplest of tap-ins.
Japan doubled their lead 10 minutes later with Ueki once again involved, powering a header against the bar with Mina Tanaka on the follow-up to smash home.
Nigeria, however, pulled one back from their first shot on target in the 42nd minute when Jennifer Echegini played a one-two with Christy Ucheibe before rifling a shot past Ayaka Yamashita.
There was still time for Japan to restore their two-goal lead, doing so in the fifth minute of added time as Kitagawa stood over a free-kick won by Tanaka and proceeded to curl a wonderful shot into the bottom corner.
After the restart, Japan thought they had an opportunity to add to their lead after a penalty was given following a Rasheedat Ajibade push on Miyabi Moriya but referee Emikar Calderas changed her decision after reviewing the VAR footage.
With Japan staying compact and Nigeria unable to play their way through, chances were few and far in between in the second half with Hamano dragging a shot wide in the 71st minute being the only attack of note.
Japan had one last opportunity two minutes before the end as Remina Chiba ran through on goal but rushed her shot under pressure, with the ball rolling harmlessly towards Chiamaka Nnadozie as the Nadeshiko stood firm to claim their last eight spot.
source
کلاس یوس