[TORNEO CUATRO NACIONES] Japan won the Torneo Cuatro Naciones for under-17 women’s national teams in San Jose, Costa Rica, with a 4-1 win over the USA in theirthird and final match of the four-team competition.
Japanese, who have excelled on the youth levels of the women’s international game recently, took advantage of two bad mistakes totake a 2-0 lead in the first half and went on to win despite being outshot, 14-13.
Mallory Pugh pulled a goal back in the 28th minute, but the USAgave up goals in the final three minutes of regulation and one minute of stoppage time after pressing for the equalizer.
Forward Madison Haleyscored twice and midfielder Dorian Bailey and Pugh added single goals as the USA beat Costa Rica in its second game.
The Americans
April 26 in Alajuela
USA 4 Costa Rica 0. Goals: Bailey 9, Pugh 17, Haley 24, 26
USA — Macias; Gyau, Morris, Jacobs, McGrady (Pederson, 46); Stevens (Abam, 70), Canales (Racioppi, 70), Bailey; Tillman (Andrzejewski, 46), Haley (Jean, 70),Pugh (Rodriguez, 46).
April 28 in San Jose
USA 1 Japan 4. Goals: Pugh 21; Kamogawa 21, Kono 27, Sugita88, Kobayaski 91+.
USA — Macias; Jean, Cook (Jacobs, 28), Abam, McGrady; Canales, Bailey (Morris, 69), Racioppi (Hoen-Beck, 76); Tillman (Gyau, 57),Haley (Rodriguez, 64), Pugh.
incredible how quick Japan women have closed the gap on womens soccer world powers.