Japan could have been forgiven had they opted to settle for a draw against Spain in their final Group C game at the FIFA Women's World Cup.
Not only was their place in the knockout round already secured prior to Monday's game at Wellington Regional Stadium, finishing second in the group -- which would have been their fate as long as they did not beat the Spanish -- would have handed them arguably an easier last-16 tie against Switzerland, as opposed to a meeting with a Norway outfit who look to be awakening from their initial slumber.