Our no.20 was introduced as a half-time substitute as her nation upset the odds by beating tournament hosts and favourites USA 2-1 at the Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego, to win the invitational round-robin competition for the first time in their history.
A second-minute opener from Yuka Momiki – who could face us with Leicester on Sunday – gave Japan the perfect start, and after Ally Sentnor quickly got the United States back on level terms, Feyenoord’s Toko Koga notched the decisive goal five minutes into the second half.
Japan’s free-scoring form in wins over Australia (4-0) and Colombia (4-1) meant they went into the top-of-the-table clash level on points with ex-Chelsea boss Emma Hayes’s USA but only needing a draw to lift the silverware, due to their superior goal difference.