Japan off to a winning start in Asian Cup with a 2-0 win over Chinese Taipei

PERTH – Bayern Munich midfielder Momoko Tanikawa finally cracked a dogged Chinese Taipei side on March 4 as powerhouses Japan kicked off their Women’s Asian Cup campaign in Group C with a 2-0 victory.

With a talented squad featuring 16 England-based players, Japan dominated a one-sided match played in fierce heat in Perth.

But they were left frustrated by their inability to hit the target, other than Tanikawa’s strike in the 61st minute and a header from substitute Kiko Seike two minutes into injury time.

The highest-ranked team in the competition at world No. 8, Japan are desperate for a third title to add to their back-to-back triumphs in 2014 and 2018.

But they will need to clean up their finishing touches after attempting 30 shots and enjoying almost 90 per cent of possession.

“We need to be a little more sharp but this was the first game and we open with three points, so you cannot be unhappy with that,” Japan coach Nils Nielsen said.

Chinese Taipei, who reached the final eight in the last edition in 2022, did not have a shot on goal but fought gamely with goalkeeper Wang Yu-ting producing a superb performance.

Under Greenland-born Nielsen – Japan’s first foreign-born women’s coach – the team have vowed to play in a fast and brash manner.

Heeding the 54-year-old’s words, Japan were aggressive from the outset and peppered their opponents’ goal, but without success.

Chinese Taipei were clinging on against the odds with Wang pulling off a spectacular save to deny a bullet from Mina Tanaka.

Tanikawa then hit the left post as Japan had an astonishing 13 shots within the opening 15 minutes.

Chinese Taipei’s woes deepened when forward Pu Hsin-hui limped off the field after an apparent injury to her left knee.

They continued to defend bravely, leaving Japan flustered as the teams took a cooling break in the 32nd minute with the temperature hitting 36 deg C.

Japan came perilously close to breaking the deadlock just before half-time, only for Wang to thwart them.

Chinese Taipei’s embattled defence had 35 clearances in the first half, with each one cheered enthusiastically by their vocal supporters, who livened up the sparse terraces.

Wang was again put to work after the interval as she smothered Tanaka’s attempt from close range.

But Wang was finally helpless when Tanikawa slotted home after being on the receiving end of a superb pass from Hana Takahashi.

Japan’s celebrations were made to wait while the video assistant referee needed to determine whether the ball had deflected off Tanikawa’s hand on the way down as she controlled the pass.

It appeared to be Japan’s only goal until Seike stepped up late to add to their tally.

In the other Group C match on March 4, Vietnam got off to a winning start after Ngan Thi Van Su scored a 94th-minute winner to help her side beat India 2-1.

Van Su put the 2022 quarter-finalists ahead on 30 minutes with a superb curling finish from range, but India equalised through Sanfida Nongrum in the 52nd minute, just moments after Thai Thi Thao had a goal disallowed for Vietnam.

As the match seemed to be headed towards a stalemate, Van Su connected with a cross from Vu Thi Hoa to score a pivotal winner for the Vietnamese four minutes into injury time. AFP