Japan hammer Zambia 5-0 in Women’s World Cup lesson

HAMILTON – Japan’s burning desire to replicate their 2011 Women’s World Cup triumph inspired them to a 5-0 win over Zambia on Saturday, their biggest victory at the global showpiece tournament.

The Japanese outclassed their African counterparts, who were making their debut, with a slick display of pass-and-move football in their Group C clash at the Waikato Stadium.

Hinata Miyazawa scored twice and fellow forward Mina Tanaka found the net in the second half, after having two earlier efforts cancelled for offside by the video assistant referee (VAR).

Jun Endo added the fourth in the 71st minute and substitute Riko Ueki got the fifth from a penalty in stoppage time, after Zambia goalkeeper Catherine Musonda’s dismissal for two yellow cards.

“Five-nil is good but getting the three points for the win was really satisfying,” said Japan coach Futoshi Ikeda.

“Many of our squad were inspired by the 2011 Nadeshiko team when they were growing. We would like to take up the challenge again, to be the champions.”

Winners of the 2011 World Cup and runners-up in 2015, Japan lined up in an attacking 3-5-1 formation and looked like a team on a mission from the start.

They had already drawn two fines saves from Musonda, hit the post, and had a Tanaka goal ruled out before Miyazawa struck for the first time in the 43rd minute.

Tanaka had another goal chalked off for offside in the 49th minute and VAR also overruled a penalty for world No. 11 Japan a couple of minutes later.

Thai-born striker Tanaka finally got a goal that counted in the 55th minute, before providing the assist for Miyazawa’s second goal in the 62nd minute in front of a crowd of 16,111 in Hamilton, New Zealand.

The Nadeshiko were finding space behind the Zambian defence almost at will in the last 20 minutes, and a Yui Hasegawa pass found Endo all on her own with only Musonda to beat for the fourth goal in the 71st minute.

Ueki needed two attempts to convert the penalty that saw Musonda sent off, her replacement Eunice Sakala saving the first but penalised for encroachment.

Zambia captain Barbra Banda struck an isolated figure up front and the Africans, ranked No. 77 in the world, did not register a single shot at goal.

“We have not played well this evening. It’s not the end of the world, I’m sure we can still come back and fight for a qualification spot,” Zambia coach Bruce Mwape said.

While title contenders Japan eased past in their opening game on Saturday, England limped to a scrappy 1-0 win over debutantes Haiti to begin their Women’s World Cup trophy bid unconvincingly.

The European champions needed a Georgia Stanway retaken penalty in the 29th minute to see off a gutsy Haitian side in front of over 44,000 fans at Brisbane Stadium, most of whom were supporting the English.

Stanway stepped up to the penalty spot twice after Haiti goalkeeper Kerly Theus moved off her line early in saving the Bayern Munich midfielder’s first attempt, awarded after a handball.

She shrugged off the miss, tucking her second into the far corner to the delight of her coach Sarina Wiegman, who pumped a fist in celebration.

All eight World Cup games so far have featured penalties.

Stanway’s penalty ended a streak of England misses from the spot at World Cups, including two from Nikita Parris and one from Steph Houghton at the 2019 tournament, where the Lionesses finished fourth.

England’s best result in five previous appearances in the global showcase was third in 2015.

While the world No. 4 Lionesses had numerous chances against a side ranked 49 spots lower, they also looked vulnerable on the break.

They were perhaps fortunate to come away with all three points, as they had to rely on some late brilliance from goalkeeper Mary Earps.

“They challenged us, very dangerous on the counter-attack so that’s something we’ll work on in training this week.

“We knew they were going to be dangerous. Mary came up with a big save and everybody played their part,” Stanway told ITV.

In the last game of the day, Denmark edged out China 1-0 with an 89th-minute goal by Amalie Vangsgaard. It was the Danes’ first shot on target. REUTERS, AFP