NEWS

The Nadeshiko Japan women's team suffered a 3-1 defeat by Korea Republic in their Group B opener at the AFC Women's Asian Cup on Thursday night in Vietnam.

Australia beat Chinese Taipei 4-0 to take the lead in Group B.

At Thong Nhat Stadium, Japan went ahead in the 10th minute when forward Yuki Nagasato took a pass from Miyuki Yanagita, beat a defender and slotted the ball home.

But the Koreans cancelled that out with Cha Yun Hee's strike in the 18th minute and went on to take the lead in the 31st minute through Park Hee Young.

The Ladies in Blue attempted to rally after the break and came close when Mizuho Sakaguchi hit an Aya Miyama free-kick in the 48th minute.

But Korea Republic widened the lead in the 54th minute with Park's second goal of the day.

With the Koreans staying back to protect their lead, Japan sought ways to break through.
Forward Shinobu Ohno hit the bar off a Miyama cross in the 63rd minute, but the Japanese women couldn’t find the target again.

"Korea put on a spirited performance and that brought them goals," Nadeshiko Japan coach Norio Sasaki said. "I don't think our offense was so bad, but we lacked precision and finishing and couldn't deal with Korea's counter-attacks."

"We still have two more games [in the group stage], and would like to use this experience to reach the knock-out stage," Sasaki added.

Japan will next play Chinese Taipei on May 31 and Australia on June 2. The top two finishers from each group will advance to the semifinals on June 5. The final and the third-place playoff will be held on June 8.

Teams:
Japan—Nozomi Yamago, Yukari Kinga, Hiromi Ikeda, Azusa Iwashimizu, Kozue Ando (Eriko Arakawa, 53rd) Miyuki Yanagita, Aya Miyama, Homare Sawa, Mizuho Sakaguchi, Shinobu Ohno, Yuki Nagasato (Karina Maruyama, 80th). Coach, Norio Sasaki.

Korea Republic—Kim Jung Mi, Yu Ji Eun, Kim Yoo Mi, Hong Kyung Suk, Kwon Hah Nul, Cho So Hyun, Kim Huiyeong, Lee Jang Mi (Lee Eun Mi, 75th), Park Hee Young (Kim Do Yeon, 82nd) Cha Yun Hee, Kim Sooyun (Hwang Boram, 67th). Coach, An Ik Soo.

Goals—Yuki Nagasato (10th min) for Japan. Cha Yun Hee (18th min), Park Hee Young (31st min, 54th min)

Cautions—Kim Yoo Mi (Korea Republic), Cha Yun Hee (Korea Republic)

Expulsions—None

Referee—Bentla D'Coth (India)

Attendance—600