Henry and Oyama star as remaining semi-finalists confirmed

Over the course of the tournament, FIFA's Technical Study Group (TSG) are taking a closer look at the performance of the official "Player of the Match" in each game.

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Nigeria 0-2 Netherlands 

Player of the Match: (11) Ziva Henry (NED) 

On matchday eight, the remaning two quarter-finals were decided at the Estadio Alejandro Morera Soto. First up, the Netherlands booked their place in the last four courtesy of a 2-0 victory over Nigeria. 

The Netherlands had a very clear and effective game plan, with Ziva Henry particularly impressing our Technical Study Group. For the first time in this tournament, she started the game at centre-forward, and she was extremely disciplined and consistent in executing her role for her team. 

According to Anja Mittag, “She worked very hard and scored a great centre-forward’s goal.  The Netherlands did not attack a huge amount in this match, but when she received the ball, she was very good at keeping it. Technically, she has very good feet, she can control the ball and and bring other players into the game. She wanted the ball to feet.”

“Her role was clear, she stayed central and engaged the two centre-backs really well. She kept them narrow. The position she was in for her goal was perfect for a centre-forward and she got the rewards for that,” added Mittag.  

“She also worked very hard for her team out of possession and was always connected to the team’s defensive shape, and she made a couple of interceptions,” Mittag concluded. 

Mónica Vergara also observed the game, and commented:

“The Netherlands had a very clear system of play and she played her role very well. She held her central position and understood the decoy movement of the forwards either side of her, so she could make the angled runs in their attacking build-up.”

“She also defended very well. I really liked how she demonstrated her high level of tactical understanding, and she knew what her position needed to be and what the triggers were for her movement. She is technical, she could keep the ball. It was a very good performance,” Vergara added.

Japan 3-3 France *Japan win 5-3 on penalties 

Player of the Match: (6) Aemu Oyama (JAP) 

In the last of the quarter-finals, Japan overcame France on penalties after a scintillating game finished 3-3 after extra-time at Estadio Alejandro Morera Soto. 

There were many standout performances in this hugely competitive match, but it was Japan midfielder Aemu Oyama that was selected by our TSG as player of the match.

Speaking about her performance, Mónica Vergara said, “Oyama is a real leader in her team. I really like the way she communicates with and organises her team-mates. That is such an important quality in a defensive midfielder. She also communicates what options are open to other team-mates in possession of the ball, which is a really impressive quality in such a young player.” 

“She is very aware of what is happening around her, she is constantly observing and is always ready for both offensive and defensive transitions. Her positioning facilitates counter-pressing when and if it is needed. She can see when it is possible to counter-press and communicates this to her team, but when it is not possible, she organises the players around her into a defensive shape, so they can be organised and then initiate a press. She balances the whole team defensively, and is always extremely well placed for interceptions or blocks when the opposition are trying to break lines centrally and play into their centre-forward,” she added. 

Vergara also enthused about Oyama’s technical ability when her team is in possession:

“She keeps the ball moving and really dictates the speed of the game. Japan like to play at a high tempo so she always plays off one and two touches. She constantly creates angles of support for her team-mates in possession, which means they can play in fast, triangulated passes to break lines, but also to facilitate switches of play and release her team from the opposition’s press,” she added. 

“When she has the ball, she it keeps it very close to her feet and her technique is just really nice to watch. She has developed key components of the holding midfield role, and is a very exciting prospect for the future,” concluded Vergara.