Japan send out message with crushing Zambia win | OneFootball

Japan got their Women’s World Cup campaign off to a winning start with a five-star victory over Zambia.

Scorers: Miyazawa 43′, 62′, Tanaka 55′, Endo 71′, Ueki (PEN) 90+11′

After a strong opening half from Japan, they got the opener they deserved shortly before half-time in some style with one of the tournament’s best goals so far.

It came from Hinata Miyazawa who finished off in style after a quick and incisive move down the right resulted in the midfielder sweeping home from a low cross.

Despite Zambia impressing and surprising recently with their friendly win over Germany, the game quickly got away from them after the break as Japan’s class shone through.

After two disallowed goals, Mina Tanaka doubled their lead 10 minutes after half-time, sliding into the corner from a cross from the left after the African side’s high defensive line was exposed.

Miyazawa got her second as Tanaka did very well to keep the ball alive at the byline and cut back for Miyazawa to pounce before Jun Endo got the goal her efforts merited on 71 minutes.

The tournament’s penalty drama continued deep into injury-time after Japan were awarded a spot-kick following Catherine Musonda’s dismissal but Riko Ueki hit the crossbar from 12 yards, only to make amends at the second attempt after a retake was ordered.

The margin of victory is the biggest of the tournament so far.