Japan’s Women’s National Team Opens Asian Games with 8‑0 Victory
Japan’s women’s national team opened the Asian Games with a dominant 8‑0 victory over Thailand, despite fielding a largely inexperienced B‑squad composed mainly of players born after 2000. Coach Michihisa Kano’s side controlled possession at 71% in the first half and fired 21 shots, 11 on target, scoring four times before the break.
Yoshino Nakashima, a Sanfrecce Hiroshima Regina winger, netted a hat‑trick in the 3rd, 37th and 40th minutes, while Chiina Kamiya added a header in the 30th. In the second half, forward Takarada scored three consecutive goals (70’, 74’, 78’) and Kotono Sakakibara sealed the win with a long‑range strike in the 88th minute. The result placed Japan atop Group E with three points, level with Taiwan, while Vietnam also sits on three points after a 1‑2 defeat to Taiwan, and Thailand remains winless.
Vietnam’s Coach Faces Must‑Win Against Thailand
Vietnam’s coach Hoàng Văn Phúc now faces a must‑win against Thailand in the final group match on 17 September. The Vietnamese side, undergoing a generational shift as senior players such as Hải Yến and Bích Thủy retire, relies on emerging talents like Thanh Nhã, Vạn Sự and Minh Chuyên, who missed a late chance at 90+2 against Taiwan.
To secure a quarter‑final berth, Vietnam must limit damage against Japan in the upcoming fixture and defeat Thailand by a sizable margin. A win would give Vietnam three points, matching Thailand and Taiwan; head‑to‑head records and goal difference would then decide the group’s second‑place qualifier, while even a third‑place finish could still advance as one of the best third‑placed teams across the tournament.