Japan walloped the Copper Queens of Zambia 5-0 at FMG Stadium Waikato on Saturday morning Nigerian Time in an outstanding Group C match.
The goals would have been more as Mina Tanaka goals in the 23rd and 50th minute were turned down by the VAR and a penalty awarded Japan in the 52nd minute was also overturned.
Zambia is one of the eight teams making their debut alongside Haiti; Ireland; Morocco; Panama; Philippines; Portugal and Vietnam.
Zambia was plagued by negative developments before the tournament as first choice goalkeeper, Hazel Nali could not make the team due to an ankle injury and Coach Bruce Mwape called on teenager, Catherine Musonda who was red carded in the 90+7th minute against Japan after the second yellow card.
Part of the plague was dependable defender Grace Chanda who had to be rushed to hospital on Tuesday for an undisclosed ailment but FIFA granted a replacement for her.
Miyazawa scored the opening goal for Japan in the 43rd minute of the match after receiving a right-footed cross from teammate Fujino.
Tanakawa scored the 2nd goal in the 55th minute through J. Endo assist before Miyazawa scored her brace in the 62nd minute making the 3rd goal for Japan when Tanaka made a dribble run to give Miyazawa the ball to tap into an empty net.
Endo later got a deserved goal from a left footed strike off a Y. Hasegawa assist to make the score 4-0.
The 5th goal was dramatic as substitute goalkeeper, Eunice Sakala of Zambia had saved a penalty from Riko Ueki but the VAR rejected the kick as Sakala was said to have violated the rules of goalkeeping at penalty kick times and Ueki scored the retake in 90+11th minute.
Japan with nickname Nadeshiko is making her 9th appearance and were champions in 2011 at Germany and Silver Medalists at Canada 2015.
The Japan versus Zambia match is the second game of Japan against an African side after their 2-1 win over Cameroon at the 2015 group stage.
Spain had spanked Costa Rica in the group opener and is currently second on the table by goals aggregate.
The second round matches of Group C will be on Wednesday 26th July when Spain will play Zambia and Japan will tackle Costa Rica. The last group matches will be played on Monday 31st July with Japan versus Spain and Costa Rica versus Zambia.
Credit: Eniola Olatunji
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