City stars lock horns in SheBelieves Cup opener | OneFootball

There was a City-centric feel to the opening game at the 2025 SheBelieves Cup as Japan recorded a 4-0 win over Australia in Houston.

Ayaka Yamashita, Yui Hasegawa and Aoba Fujino all started for Nadeshiko at Shell Energy Stadium and helped their side to victory over a Matildas team that selected Mary Fowler from the off.

Japan broke the deadlock in the sixth minute when Fujino’s cross from the left was recycled to the edge of the area before Fuka Nugano’s shot was turned into the back of the net thanks to Mina Tanaka’s delicate backheel from close range.

Following the opener, the encounter developed into an evenly contested affair and former City winger Hayley Raso almost unleashed a pass into Fowler’s direction, but it was intercepted just before our forward could strike at goal.

But Australia’s strong momentum was almost extinguished before the interval when a hopeful cross into the box was met by Mina Tanaka whose header crashed off the crossbar.

The Utah Royals forward made no mistake when presented the next opportunity, though, as defensive miscommunication following another direct ball into the box allowed the 30-year-old to ghost into the area and tap into the net.

WATCH: Walk and Talk with Hasegawa and Oyama

Following the interval, Tanaka’s influence on proceedings continued and she turned provider on 52 minutes when her driven cross following a sublime passing move was tucked into an empty net by Maika Hamano.

And Japan finished off the scoring to add the gloss to a fine afternoon when Moeka Minami met a diagonal into the area to glance the ball into the back of the net.

It means Nadeshiko sit at the top of the SheBelieves Cup table ahead of their second fixture at the tournament when they meet Colombia on Sunday 23 February at 19:00 (UK).

Australia, meanwhile, will look to bounce back in their second assignment – a clash with hosts the United States of America on Sunday at 22:00 (UK).