Mana Iwabuchi, left, of Japan's Olympic women's football team celebrates with teammates after scoring from the penalty spot during the second half of a warm-up match against Australia on July 14, 2021, at Sanga Stadium in Kameoka, Kyoto Prefecture, ahead of the Summer Games starting later in the month. (Kyodo)

       TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Mana Iwabuchi's 54th-minute penalty was enough to hand Japan's women a 1-0 win over Australia on Tuesday in their final warm-up game a week before the Tokyo Olympic opener.

       Yui Hasegawa won the penalty after her cross from the left hit the hand of defender Alanna Kennedy and Iwabuchi buried the effort to the low left corner for Nadeshiko Japan at Sanga Stadium in Kyoto Prefecture.

       "I felt I wasn't good other than the penalty, to be honest. I need to up my condition and contribute to the team," Iwabuchi said. "We could have created more in the first half. We all need to be aware of that and move in a positive direction."

       Ranked 10th in the world, Nadeshiko Japan had scored 27 goals while conceding just one in four games this year against Paraguay, Panama, Ukraine and Mexico.

       But they faced a far tougher test against the ninth-ranked visitors, who forced keeper Ayaka Yamashita into action through a Caitlin Foord effort in the 20th minute and maintained their high pressing throughout the 90 minutes.

       Yuika Sugawara's chipped effort was denied at the other end but Iwabuchi made the most of her chance with the penalty after the break. Substitute Jun Endo also struck the bar with a fierce effort from the edge of the box soon after as they stepped up a gear following the break.

       "It was good to get to play a hard game like this against wonderful opponents like Australia," said manager Asako Takakura. "We were passive both offensively and defensively so we will break this game down and make adjustments."

       "We want to reach the top step of the Olympic podium but will take it one game at a time."

       Nadeshiko Japan face Canada next Wednesday before playing Great Britain and Chile in Group E at the games.

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