Royals in Paris: Tanaka scores, Henry captains as Japan, France advance to Olympic quarters

PARIS — Four Utah Royals went to the Olympics and two advanced to the quarterfinals after the final day of group play on Wednesday.

Mina Tanaka — who has yet to play for Utah after signing on July 5 — scored the eventual game-winner for Japan in a 3-1 win over fellow Royal Ify Onumonu and Nigeria, eliminating them from the tournament. It was her first goal for Japan since a May 31 friendly victory over New Zealand; it marks her third of the year.

Veteran Amandine Henry wore the captain's armband for France in its 2-1 win over New Zealand, who was missing Utah midfielder Macey Fraser after she left Paris with a leg injury sustained in the opening match. Henry and the host nation finished first in Group A ahead of Canada and Colombia, who also advanced.

Tanaka and Japan will take on the United States — who won all three of its group matches — on Saturday at 7 a.m. MDT, while Henry and France face Brazil at 1 p.m. MDT on Saturday. Both matches will be streamed on Peacock.

Onumonu and Fraser return to Utah earlier than they'd hoped, re-joining the squad ahead of the resumption of NWSL play on Aug. 23 against expansion twin Bay FC at America First Field. The team also announced a friendly against English club Crystal Palace on Aug. 16 at AFF.

The Royals finish Summer Cup group play Wednesday against Liga MX Femenil club Tijuana at 8 p.m. MDT at AFF, sitting in second place in Group A with 3 points and striving to be one of the top four teams to advance to the semifinals.

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