As pondered upon in our match report from the previous win over Vietnam, the question would be if the coaching staff would rotate their squad now that the Mulan had qualified for the next round with a game to spare. The answer was yes; seven new players came into the lineup for the Japan game as both sides rested key starters.

Japan started brightly and took the lead within seven minutes when former Leicester City midfielder Saori Takarada scored from the penalty spot. Ten minutes later Chiina Kamiya doubled what advantage with a firm header as the Nadeshiko switched into cruise control. That two goal lead was increased In the second half as Mami Ueno and Nanasa Ikuta scored soon after the restart.

Taiwan were occasionally creating chances but the game was dominated by Japan, who enjoyed 70% possession for the game and took 21 shots before the full-time whistle sounded. Wang Yu-ting– one of the few players to not be rested– was busy for most of the game, and made some key saves to stop the match from getting truly out of hand. But this was a game that few players on either side will care about after they retire; it was played and it was over.

The result was not ideal, but the logic behind the rotations made sense. Even if Taiwan had started their best players and pulled off and unlikely win, Japan’s goal difference would have still been too great to be overtaken. The Mulan will now go back to the training field and prepare for a difficult quarterfinal time with North Korea in the knowledge that their squad will be rested and ready for a game of actual significance.