Japan thrashed New Zealand 7-0 to begin their FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup with their biggest win ever.
Doubles from Maya Hijikata (16 & 38), Chinari Sasai (41 & 90+1), with singles from Aemu Oyama (45), Shinomi Koyama (60) and Miku Hayama (75), gave Japan the victory.
Japan joined Brazil and Korea DPR in statement victory, scoring large numbers of goals against their opponents.
The Asian opened the scoring in the 16th minutes as Maya Hijikata diverted in Miyu Matsunaga’s cross. She got her second in the 38th minute, shooting into the back of the net, an assist from Shinomi Koyama.
Japan resumed the second half, dominating and tormenting New Zealand. They got their fifth as Koyama shot in made it five after being sent clean through by brilliant Miku Hayama.
Substitute Hayama scored a beauty to make it six. She side-stepped her marker and arrowed the ball into the bottom corner from outside the box. Sasai volleyed home to complete the rout in the stoppage minutes.
The runners-up at the last FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup declared their contention for the title, with a comfortable.
Japan will return to action against Ghana on Thursday, while New Zealand look to rebound against Austria.
Debutant Austria won all three points against seventh-time Ghana to begin the 2024 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup.
Goals from Hannah Fankhauser and Nicole Ojukwu, with Mariella El Sherif’s reflexes stirred Austria to a 2-1 win over Ghana.
Ghana paid the prize for their lacklustre performance in front of goal, only got a consolation late in the game.
Austria struck early as Laura Spinn sent a low cross which was dummied by Valentina Maedl for Fankhauser to fire home. The Europeans almost made it two when Greta Spinn capitalised upon a defensive error, but Afi Amenyeku made a big save.
Goalkeeper, El Sherif pulled off a wonderful stop from Ghana Nyamekye in the first half to keep the scoreline same. Ghana had another chance before the break, but Tracey Twum mistimed her header following an excellent Salamatu Abdulai cross.
In search of an equaliser, the Black Princesses started the second half strongly but was denied by El Sherif’ brilliance. Jennifer Owusuaa stole possession at the Austrian area and unleashed a fierce, bouncing drive that El Sherif did superbly to tip around the post.
Twum headed wide from point-blank range following a pinpoint Comfort Yeboah delivery. Stella Nyamekye then saw a potential goal-of-the-tournament contender rattle the crossbar as Ghana’s frustrations mounted.
Austria sealed the victory against the run of play as Asana Alhassan’s handball in the box allowed Nicole Ojukwu to calmly convert from the penalty spot.
The African side’s persistence finally paid off in stoppage time when Nyamekye unleashed a thunderbolt that crashed in off the post, but it proved to be merely a consolation.
Ghana will play Japan next as Austria faces New Zealand on matchday two.
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