Japan have stolen a Women's World Cup berth from Mexico for the second straight time as they won the AFC/CONCACAF playoff 3-2 on aggregate. After a 2-0 win at home, Japan added to their lead with an Eriko ARAKAWA goal just twelve minutes into the second leg in Toluca. Sixteen minutes later, the home side had closed to within one goal, with scores by Fatima LEYVA and Maribel DOMINGUEZ. Japan, though, held on to continue their perfect record of appearing at every Women's World Cup to date.