Japan faces a must-win game against Norway here on Tuesday to qualify for the quarter-finals in their last Group G game at the Beijing Olympics women's soccer tournament.

While the Norwegians are already safe with six points under their belt, Japan must win the game to keep their hopes alive. But their qualifying chance is not big as they rank the third in the group with a single point after two games.

As second-placed United States (with three points) is likely to book a ticket to the last eight with a victory over New Zealand, it's more realistic for the Japanese to scramble for a birth in the knockout stage as the best two of three third-ranking teams.

Norway head coach Bjarne Berntsen has said that his side would not relax despite qualification, as they want to advance as group leaders to acquire an advantageous position in the quarter-finals.

Japan should be wary of the Scandinavians' early attacks. All Norway's three goals in the tournament came in the opening ten minutes. Although the Japanese always do well in ball possession and group passes, the Norwegians are also technically excellent and will test their accuracy and organization with offensive style.

"Norway have very good individual players with good technical ability, experience and confidence, but I still think we can get a result," said Japan coach Norio Sasaki.

The Japanese have exposed their weakness in the finishing touch and the inability to keep accuracy under physical pressure in the previous 2-2 draw with New Zealand and 1-0 loss to the United States, and they must improve to get good results from Norway.

Source:Xinhua