Matchday One - Group B: Japan 4-0 Vietnam

Early strikes from Kumi Yokoyama and Emi Nakajima put the Nadeshiko in the driver’s seat, before Mana Iwabuchi and substitute Mina Tanaka added gloss to the scoreline after half-time.

Japan, led by a standout performance from Iwabuchi, who provided two assists in addition to her goal, were rarely tested by the Southeast Asians and started emphatically as they seek to defend the continental title they won in Vietnam four years ago.

It took just three minutes for Asako Takakura’s charges to open the scoring through Yokoyama, who punished some poor Vietnamese defending to beat a sluggish Dang Thi Kieu Trinh from 15 metres.

The match was played on Japan’s terms and, with over 70 percent of possession, they kept Vietnam pinned to their own half for long periods as they struggled to gain a foothold in the contest.

With superiority becoming increasingly evident, the Nadeshiko duly doubled their lead in the 16th minute, when Nakajima was on hand to lift the ball above Dang from close range to make it 2-0 after being expertly provided by Iwabuchi.

Featuring four FIFA Women’s World Cup-winners in their starting line-up, Japan continued to threaten, but Vietnam managed to stem the tide somewhat and survived until half-time without falling further behind.