Shirai Warns Flamingos: Japan Will Give Everything To Become World Champions
Japan coach Sadayoshi Shirai has fired a warning to Nigeria’s Flamingos ahead of Saturday’s FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup final, insisting his team will give everything to become world champions.
Japan booked their place in the final after a dramatic semi-final victory over defending champions DPR Korea in Morocco.
Shirai’s side recovered from a goal down to force a 1-1 draw, before winning the penalty shootout to reach their first final in 10 years.
The win was revenge for Japan, who had lost 5-1 to DPR Korea in the quarter-finals of the 2025 edition, and by the same scoreline in the final of the 2026 AFC U-17 Women’s Asian Cup.
DPR Korea looked set for another win when they took the lead in the 52nd minute, but Japan snatched a late equaliser through an own goal by Won Sol-gyong.
In the shootout, goalkeeper Kou Kadowaki saved Eh Chong-gum’s effort before Kim Ju-gyong hit the post. Asuka Tanaka then converted the decisive kick.
Speaking to FIFA after the match, Shirai praised his players’ collective determination.
‘I’m really happy that we managed to win on penalties after such a difficult match,’ Shirai said.
‘I believe that collective determination was what ultimately led to our late equaliser. We lost to DPR Korea at last year’s World Cup and in the Asian Cup, but our ultimate goal has always been to win this World Cup.’
Kadowaki said she was delighted to play her part in the shootout.
‘I went into the shootout focusing on getting into my own rhythm. I managed to read the direction of the shot and make the save, so I was really happy that I could contribute to the team’s victory,’ she said.
Tanaka, introduced late in normal time before scoring the winning penalty, highlighted the encouragement from her teammates.
Japan captain Honoka Yotsumoto said overcoming their past setbacks had strengthened the team’s belief.
‘We’ve managed to overcome barriers that had held us back for so long, one step at a time, that has given us a lot of confidence. Now we have just one more match to win, and we’re determined to make history,’ she said.
Japan will face Nigeria’s Flamingos on Saturday, November 7, at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Rabat, with both countries chasing a historic first U-17 Women’s World Cup title.
Shirai, however, insists Japan will not settle for just reaching the final.
‘We don’t want to stop here. We’ll continue moving forward, prepare as well as we can for the final, and give everything we have to become world champions,’ he said.
