Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Chengdu: Coach Norio Sasaki believes Japan are now ready to land a first AFC Women’s Asian Cup title after the East Asian champions sent out a determined message with a 8-0 demolition of Myanmar on Thursday.
Japan, who have posted four runner-up finishes and four third places on the continental stage since 1986, were in control after just 10 minutes at a damp Chengdu Sports Centre with goals from Azusa Iwashimizu and two-time AFC Women’s Player of the Year Homare Sawa before Mami Yamaguchi's penalty opened up a three-goal cushion at the break.
Aya Sameshima and Aya Miyama, who provided the assists for Kumagai and Sawa, increased the advantage shortly after half time before Yamaguchi, Sawa and substitute Megumi Kamionobe sealed the win which puts Japan firmly in the driving seat in Group A after defending champions DPR Korea beat Thailand 3-0.
“We are going to take each game one at a time, but we are ready to claim the first prize,” said Sasaki.
“We played very well in defence and attack throughout the match and it sets us up well for the next game against Thailand on Saturday.
“We are satisfied with how we played. Myanmar are very well organised. They know where they want to be and how they want to play and are getting better.”
Iwashimizu's fourth-minute volley and a header from USA-based midfielder Sawa six minutes later set the tone before Yamaguchi converted from the spot midway through the first half.
Sameshima's sublime lobbed finish and Miyama's low drive increased the lead at the start of the second half before Sawa struck the goal of the night with 18 minutes remaining with a rising first time shot from 25 yards.
And with four minutes remaining Kamionobe tapped into an empty net to complete the empathic win as Myanmar rarely posed a threat to the professional and well organised Japan, who beat China, Korea Republic and Chinese Taipei to successfully defend the East Asian Football Federation championship title in February.
“Japan is a world class team and it is hard to compete against them. Japan, in terms of movement, speed and power are the best team at the tournament,” said Myanmar head coach Tin Myint Aung.
“We are proud that we are one of eight teams playing in the tournament out of the whole of Asia and we are here to compete and get as much experience as we can.
“We now need to fix our mistakes and prepare as best as we can to be able to compete in the next match.”