Hosts Philippines, meanwhile, produced a gritty performance to grab a point in a goalless draw with Myanmar in Group A.

Vietnam won gold two years ago by the finest of margins, edging Thailand on goal difference after both finished on 10 points and the scenario could well be repeated in this edition.

Jiangsu’s impressive Malawian striker Tabitha Chawinga wrote her name into the history books with the tournament’s first goal in the seventh minute, but Beleza were level just three minutes later thanks to Mjna Tanaka before a second half arm-wrestle.

The result keeps both sides in title contention with two further matches to play in the competition.

The WK League champions found the back of the net twice in each half, with Lee Sea-eun – who bagged two goals in as many minutes just before the hour mark – leading the scoring on a night where Kim Dam-bi and Thais Guedes also left their mark on the final tally.

The win means the Red Angels finish Matchday One on top of the table, while Melbourne Victory sit at the bottom as the only team not to collect a point on the opening day.

Emily Gielnik scored the game’s only goal in the 23rd minute, while Sam Kerr provided the assist, had a penalty saved and hit the woodwork on a night where the Australian captain did everything but score.

The match was part of the Matildas’ preparation for next February’s Olympic Qualifiers, where they will meet Chinese Taipei, Thailand and China PR on the Road to Tokyo.

Japan 2-0 South Africa

All of the scoring came in the first half, with Olympique Lyonnais star Saki Kumagai notching a rare international goal in the 20th minute before Yuika Sugasawa added a second four minutes before half time.

Japan’s success follows last month’s 4-0 success over Canada, as the Asian champions look to challenge for medals in their home Olympics next August.

A total 20,029 fans saw the Matildas captain guide her side to victory in their first outing since the FIFA Women’s World Cup France 2019, opening the scoring in the third minute before adding a second in the 72nd minute, only for Camila Sáez to pull a goal back as Chile mounted a late challenge.

Ante Milicic’s side will meet the Chileans again in Adelaide on Tuesday, before turning their attention to February’s Tokyo 2020 Olympic Qualifiers.

Group A will have DPR Korea, hosts Korea Republic, Vietnam and Myanmar.

Group B pitted Australia, hosts China PR, Thailand and Chinese Taipei.