First place in Group B are to win at Augsburg, when England face Japan on Tuesday evening. Favorites Nadeshiko, only need a draw to face the second place in Group A in the quarterfinals. But England also need a point to make sure of their progression as a defeat, combined with Mexico's victory over New Zealand with a major swing in goal difference would see them on the way back .
Memories of China in 2007 came to mind when England and Japan were collected last November. Four years ago in Shanghai, Aya Miyama was the hero for Japan, when his free kick deep into injury time won the Asian side a 2-2 draw. England seemed to have won the match after two small Kelly Smith-fire goals of 81 and 83 minutes, but Miyama, who had previously shot in Japan in front of another free kick, came to their rescue.
Both teams are undefeated come into play, even though Japan is an in-form side beat New Zealand 2-1 and 4-0 to Mexico, where Homare Sawa grab a hat-trick. England, in turn, looked distinctly off-color of their opening group is responsible for the time and had become a guarantee against the Kiwis to get three points. It 'was, however, the signs of the second half of that game, what hope Powell's side were back in shape and to win in Japan would have to move to get to the knockout stages.
Japan has never beaten a European side at the FIFA Women's World Cup in eight matches and have failed to register a single point in all five of their final group game in previous editions of the tournament. However, England never beat Japan in women's football.