Japan tries to stake its claim as favorite at Women's World Cup when quarterfinals begin
Japan has hardly been tested in this Women’s World Cup and rolled with a perfect 4-0 record into the quarterfinals, where a win over Sweden would show the Nadeshiko are very much a true contender. But Friday’s opening day of the quarterfinals also gives Netherlands an opportunity to take control of a wide-open World Cup. The Dutch were runners-up to the United States four years ago, and the Americans beat them in the quarterfinals of the Tokyo Olympics. With the U.S. already eliminated, Netherlands has a major obstacle out of its way. But first up