Home News Japan Crushes Zambia 5-0 in Women’s World Cup: Hinata Miyazawa’s Braces Facilitates Victory

Japan Crushes Zambia 5-0 in Women’s World Cup: Hinata Miyazawa’s Braces Facilitates Victory

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Japan-Zambia Women's World Cup match

The Japanese Women’s football team kicked off their FIFA Women’s World Cup journey with an overpowering win against newcomers Zambia.

Hinata Miyazawa was instrumental in the victory, scoring twice, with Mina Tanaka adding a goal between Miyazawa’s two. Later on, Jun Endo contributed the fourth.

Zambian goalkeeper Catherine Musonda received her second yellow card due to a late penalty conceded in Hamilton, New Zealand.

Eunice Sakala, Musonda’s substitute, successfully denied Riko Ueki’s initial penalty, but was adjudged to have left her line early. Ueki, however, managed to find the back of the net in the subsequent attempt.

Japan now heads Group C, overtaking Spain based on goal difference.

An interesting trend emerged as Futoshi Ikeda’s team earned a late penalty, making it the seventh consecutive match in this year’s tournament to feature a penalty. However, only three of these penalties have found their mark.

In the early stages, Aoba Fujino proved to be a significant threat for Japan, causing Musonda to make a fingertip save, and then striking a 25-yard shot onto the post just two minutes later.

After 20 minutes into the game, Zambia received the first of many let-offs when VAR overruled Mina Tanaki’s goal for offside, following a quick response to Zambia’s poor clearance from an Endo free-kick.

The Japanese team has a proud history of participating in every FIFA Women’s World Cup since the tournament began in 1991.

Finally, Miyazawa broke the deadlock just before halftime, skillfully controlling Fujino’s cross to the goalmouth and coolly slotting it past Musonda.

VAR was again the center of attention early in the second half, denying Tanaki a second goal for offside and overturning a penalty for Japan, when Fujino was adjudged to be offside.

Tanaki’s perseverance paid off when she connected with Endo’s cross to slot the ball into the Zambian net, doubling Japan’s lead in the 55th minute.

Miyazawa quickly added her second, with Endo sealing the fourth goal in the 71st minute.

In the dying minutes of the game, Musonda received her second yellow card for a challenge on Ueki in the penalty box, which gave Japan a penalty opportunity.

Sakala, in her debut game, managed to save Ueki’s initial penalty. Yet, the VAR intervened, ruling that she had left her line early. Ueki made no mistake in her second attempt, securing the fifth goal for Japan.

Match Statistics:

Zambia vs Japan

Possession: 40% vs 60%
Shots: 0 vs 26
Shots on Target: 0 vs 11
Corners: 1 vs 6
Fouls: 10 vs 4

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Japan-Zambia Women’s World Cup match

Who were the goal scorers for Japan in the match against Zambia?

Hinata Miyazawa scored twice, with Mina Tanaka and Jun Endo adding one goal each. The fifth goal was scored by Riko Ueki via penalty.

Which team is leading Group C in the FIFA Women’s World Cup?

As of the match against Zambia, Japan is leading Group C.

What was a significant trend noticed in this year’s tournament?

A significant trend observed is that a penalty has been awarded in every game of the tournament so far, though only three have been successfully converted.

Who saved the initial penalty shot for Zambia?

Eunice Sakala, the substitute goalkeeper for Zambia, saved the initial penalty shot for her team.

What was the final score of the match between Japan and Zambia?

The final score of the match was Japan 5, Zambia 0.

Which team has participated in every FIFA Women’s World Cup since its inception in 1991?

Japan’s women’s team has played in every FIFA Women’s World Cup since the tournament started in 1991.

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3 comments

VAR_Vampire July 22, 2023 - 12:19 pm

VAR is literally eating all the goals. Offside rule needs to be clarified better in my opinion. Just sayin.

Reply
FujinoFan July 23, 2023 - 6:30 am

Fujino is so underrated, her crosses were pinpoint. She’s a key player for us no doubt.

Reply
GoalDigger July 23, 2023 - 7:21 am

ueki’s kept her nerve on that penalty, great finish! Also, Miyazawa is an absolute beast!

Reply

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