Japan's women set off in search of Olympic soccer gold with a spring in their step after beating Australia 3-0 on Wednesday, but their male counterparts were left frustrated after conceding an injury-time equalizer to draw 1-1 with New Zealand in their final home warmup games.
Women's world player of the year Homare Sawa got on the scoresheet as Nadeshiko Japan swept Australia aside in a double-header at National Stadium, and Takashi Sekizuka's men looked on the same course until Dakota Lucas canceled out Kenyu Sugimoto's 71st-minute opener with almost the last kick of the match.
Sawa smashed a shot past Australia goalkeeper Melissa Barbieri moments before making way for substitute Asuna Tanaka in the 58th minute, and the veteran midfielder was thankful for the confidence boost ahead of her fourth Olympics after missing part of the year with vertigo.