WELLINGTON, Aug 5 (Reuters) - Hinata Miyazawa scored her fifth goal of the tournament as Japan beat Norway 3-1 in a clash of former champions on Saturday to reach the quarter-finals of the Women's World Cup for the fourth time.
"I'm very happy, I didn't think we would be able to come so far," Miyazawa told reporters.
Norway, world champions in 1995, depart the World Cup before the quarter-finals for only the third time in nine campaigns.
Space started opening up for Japan as Norway pressed forward and Miyazawa benefited in the 81st minute, taking a touch off Aoba Fujino's through ball and rolling it coolly into the net.
"We met a very good Japan team," said Norway coach Hege Riise.
Persons:
Hinata Miyazawa, Norway's Ingrid Engen, Risa Shimizu, Miyazawa, Alexandra Popp, Engen, Vilde Boe Risa, Reiten, Risa, Shimizu, Karina Saevik, Ayaka Yamashita, Hege Riise, Nick Mulvenney, Gwladys Fouche, Christian Radnedge
Organizations:
WELLINGTON, United, Germany, Norway, Thomson
Locations:
Japan, Norway, United States, Sweden, Spain, Philippines, New Zealand, Oslo