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Japan pats Zambia down
Germany conqueror falls apart at World Cup debut
07/22/2023, 11:18 am
Two weeks ago, Zambia surprisingly won 3-2 against the DFB-Elf, but the Copper Queens lacked any freshness in their first World Cup game ever. Japan takes advantage of this and scores just before the break. In the second half, the team from southern Africa falls apart.
A very bitter start to the tournament for the women from Zambia: Japan’s soccer players started the World Cup with a resounding victory against the World Cup debutants. While the German national team lost 3-2 to Zambia in preparation for the World Cup, Barbra Banda’s team didn’t cause any problems for the Japanese in Hamilton/New Zealand. In the end it was a deserved 5-0 (1-0) for the 2011 title holder – without a Zambian shot on goal.
In the first half of the game, Japan clearly dominated what was happening at the Waikato Stadium. After the Japanese 1-0 was withdrawn in the 21st minute for offside by VAR, the “Nadeshiko” found the solution for the Zambian bulwark shortly before the break. A low cross from the right turned Hinata Miyazawa (43rd) into a 1-0 half-time lead.
Penalty missed, repetition is possible
This concept turned out to be a principle of success in the second half as well. Mino Tanaka (55′) and again Miyazawa (62′) increased the lead to 3-0 after low crosses, while the Zambian offensive also lacked any danger in the second half. Jun Endo (71st) made the preliminary decision with the third goal within six minutes.
In injury time, Zambia’s goalkeeper Catherine Musonda (90+7) saw a yellow-red card after a foul in the penalty area. Riko Ueki (90+11) converted the subsequent penalty in the second attempt to make it 5-0. Ueki was initially denied by substitute goalkeeper Eunice Sakala, but the penalty had to be retaken because Sakala left the line too early.
While Japan goes into the second group game on Wednesday (7 a.m. CEST) against Costa Rica with confidence, Zambia is already under a lot of pressure against the Spaniards around two-time world footballer Alexia Putellas on Wednesday (9.30 a.m. CEST).