Bayern Munich midfielder Momoko Tanikawa finally cracked a dogged Taiwan on Wednesday as powerhouse Japan kicked off their Women’s Asian Cup with a 2-0 victory in Perth.<\/p>\n
Brimming with a talented squad featuring 16 England-based players, Japan dominated a one-sided match played in fierce heat.<\/p>\n
But they were left frustrated by an inability to hit the target other than Tanikawa’s strike in the 61st minute and a header from substitute Kiko Seike in the 92nd minute.<\/p>\n
The highest ranked team in the competition at eight, Japan are desperate for a third title to add to their back-to-back triumphs in 2014 and 2018.<\/p>\n
But they will need to clean up their finishing touches after attempting 30 shots and enjoying almost 90 percent of possession.<\/p>\n
“We need to be a little more sharp but this was the first game and we open with three points, so you cannot be unhappy with that,” Japan coach Nils Nielsen said.<\/p>\n
Taiwan, who reached the final eight in the last edition in 2022, did not have a shot on goal but fought gamely with goalkeeper Wang Yu-ting producing a superb performance.<\/p>\n
Under Greenland-born Nielsen, Japan’s first foreign-born women’s coach, the team have vowed to play in a fast and brash manner.<\/p>\n
Heeding Nielsen’s words, Japan were aggressive from the outset and peppered the goal but without success.<\/p>\n
Taiwan were clinging on against the odds with Wang pulling off a spectacular save to deny a bullet from Mina Tanaka.<\/p>\n
Tanikawa then hit the left post as Japan had an astonishing 13 shots within the opening 15 minutes.<\/p>\n
Taiwan’s woes deepened when forward Pu Hsin-hui limped off the field after an apparent left knee injury.<\/p>\n
They continued to bravely defend, leaving Japan flustered as the teams took a drinks break at the 32nd minute with the temperature hitting 36C.<\/p>\n
Japan came perilously close to breaking the deadlock just before half-time only for Wang to prove a thorn.<\/p>\n
Taiwan’s embattled defence had 35 clearances in the first half, with each one cheered enthusiastically by their vocal supporters, who livened up the sparse terraces.<\/p>\n
Wang was again put to work after the interval as she smothered Tanaka’s attempt from short range.<\/p>\n
But Wang was finally helpless when Tanikawa slotted home after being on the receiving end of a superb pass from Hana Takahashi.<\/p>\n
Japan’s celebrations were made to wait with VAR needed to determine whether the ball deflected Tanikawa’s hand on the way down.<\/p>\n
It appeared to be Japan’s only goal until Seike stepped up late.<\/p>\n
India and Vietnam are also in Group C and play each other later Wednesday.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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