The Singapore national netball team began the defence of their Mission Foods Asian Netball Championships with a resounding 67-13 victory over Group A opponents Japan on Sunday.

Goalshooter Charmaine Soh led the romp at the Singapore Sports Hub's OCBC Arena as she sank 26 of her 37 shots against the Japanese.

Debutant Natalie Long also netted 25 times while co-vice captain Chen Huifen and Melissa Teo chipped in with nine and seven goals respectively.

The visitors scored through captain Mio Akuzawa (six goals), Kaho Kigure (five), Sae Nakatani and Yoshie Arai (one each).

Singapore will face Vietnam in their second match on Monday.