Japan Coach Admits Nigeria’s Supremacy In FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup Final
By Saheed Afolabi
Japan U-17 women’s coach, Sadayoshi Shirai has urged his players to take pride in their performances at the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup despite falling short in the final against Nigeria’s Flamingos.
Japan finished runners-up after suffering a 2-1 defeat to Nigeria in the final, as the West Africans claimed their first-ever title in the competition.
Reflecting on the defeat, Shirai acknowledged Nigeria’s strength and admitted that his side struggled at times to contain the Flamingos’ pace and physical presence, particularly when they attacked behind Japan’s defensive line.
“First of all, I have to say that Nigeria were a very strong team. We understood their strengths, but there were moments when they managed to get in behind our defence,” Shirai told FIFA.
The Japanese tactician, however, praised his players for their determination and commitment, insisting they continued to fight until the final whistle despite the challenges posed by Nigeria.
“Even so, I think our players fought incredibly hard until the very end, doing everything they could to cope with Nigeria’s speed and physical power. I also believe that if we had managed to score earlier, we might have had a better chance of winning the match,” he said.
Shirai also encouraged his players to remain proud of their campaign, stressing that their determination throughout the tournament should serve as a source of confidence and inspiration.
“I want them [Japan’s players] to be proud of themselves. The way they fought until the very end of this World Cup will have inspired many people, and I hope they can take confidence from that,” he added.
Japan’s second-place finish brought an end to their campaign in Morocco, while Nigeria celebrated a historic triumph, becoming the first African nation to win the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
