Japan stages fight back to draw with NZ

(BEIJING, August 6) -- The Japanese Women's Football team denied its New Zealand counterpart a win in its Olympic debut as Japan came back from 2-0 down deep into the second half to pull off a 2-2 draw on Wednesday in Qinhuangdao.

New Zealand started the match strongly, but Japan soon imposed their clever passing game on the Football Ferns.

However, whenever Japan got into New Zealand's penalty area they were blocked by dogged defending or goalkeeper Jenny Bindon.

Twice in the first half Bindon saved when one-on-one with Japan's striker Shinobu Ohno.

However, Japan's defense allowed New Zealand's Alexandra Riley's low cross from the right wing to travel across their goal-mouth and Kirsty Yallop slotted home from close range.

New Zealand doubled their lead 11 minutes after half-time when Japan's Azusa Iwashimizu was penalized for pushing at a corner. Japanese goalkeeper Miho Fukumoto got a hand to Amber Hearn's spot-kick but could not keep it out.

Bindon again saved when Ohno was in the clear, but Japan was awarded a penalty in the 71st minute, against Abby Erceg for pushing, which Aya Miyama coolly fired into the corner.

Ohno blasted another chance high and wide before Japan's captain Homare Sawa flicked in Miyama's right-wing free-kick to equalize in the 86th minute.

But the game ended badly for Sawa, who was carried off on a stretcher after being hurt in injury time.