New Delhi: The Japanese Women Football team defeated Myanmar by 5-0 in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2022 at the Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex, Pune, on Friday, January 21, 2022.
The match began with Japan’s Shiori Miyake giving a cross to Mina Tanaka, whose header went wide in the 1st minute. Though Tanaka and Riko Ueki tried scoring in the 4th and 5th minute, they failed to reach the back of the net.
Japan possessed the ball and dominated the first half. Japanese keeper Ayaka Yamashita saved Myanmar striker Bo Bo Aung’s shot.
Another shot by Tanaka went wide, whereas Myanmar goalkeeper Nwe May Zin saved three goals by Yui Hasegawa. Japan took the lead in the 22nd minute when Hasegawa delivered a cross as Ueki headed past Zin.
Though Japan asserted pressure on the opponents, both failed to score.
The second half began with Japan scoring again. Ueki gave a pass to Hasegawa, who made a splitter across the Myanmar backline and scored in the 47th minute. Japan’s Hikaru Naomoto ran to the center before striking another goal outside the box while Zin looked on.
Japan scored again in the 70th minute. Yui Narumiya made a left-foot finish from the right side of the box in the farthest corner of the goalpost.
Japan led the second half with 4-0 while their opponents fizzled under pressure.
Japanese player Jun Endo gave a clean pass to Hasegawa, as she slotted her second shot past Zin in the final moments of the match. Though Myanmar had enough chances, they failed to score. Japan will face Vietnam on Monday, and Myanmar will play against South Korea on January 24.
(Avya Mathur)
