Japan largely dominated Zambia (5-0) for their first meeting in Group C of the Women’s World Cup on Saturday in Hamilton. However, the Japanese had to wait until the 43rd minute and a goal from midfielder Hinata Miyazawa to open the scoring by taking a cross from the right.
Centre-forward Mina Tanaka doubled the lead in the 55th minute before Miyazawa scored a personal second seven minutes later, again from a cross after Zambian goalkeeper Catherine Musonda mishandled. Well launched in depth, Jun Endo weighed down the mark by easily deceiving Musonda in the 71st minute. At the end of added time, Musonda was sent off for causing a penalty. Riko Ueki converted it after having missed her first attempt, but Eunice Sakala, the substitute door, had advanced prematurely on her line during this one.
Crowned in 2011, the Japanese take the lead in Group C ahead of Spain, which beat Costa Rica (3-0) on Friday at the opening. For their big debut in a World Cup, the Zambians, unable to be dangerous, were dominated throughout the meeting, and never managed to find their star, striker Barbra Banda. Bruce Mwape’s players are at risk of suffering again against the Spaniards on Wednesday.
