NEWS

The Nadeshiko Japan women’s team got off to a good start in defense of their East Asian Women’s Championship title by beating China 2-0 in their opening match at Tokyo’s Ajinomoto Stadium on Saturday.

Midfielder Aya Miyama blasted in a free-kick in the 19th minute and defender Yukari Kinga added a second in the 61st minute.
The Nadeshiko will next play Chinese Taipei on Thursday at the National Stadium in Tokyo, while Korea Republic and Chinese Taipei will face each other in their opening match on Sunday, also at the National Stadium.
Following their victory in the Bicentennial Women’s Cup in Chile last month, the hosts were able to start confidently and enjoyed the greater possession against the Chinese.
With Mami Yamaguchi and Shinobu Ohno working hard up front, Japan earned a free-kick in the 19th minute after Yamaguchi was brought down about 25 meters out. Miyama took the free-kick and blasted it into the corner of the net.
China, who lost 2-0 to Japan in the quarterfinals of the 2008 Beijing Olympics, attempted to rally, and Han Duan came close with a header from a Bi Yan free-kick in the 39th minute.
Seven minutes into the second half, the Japanese team combined well to create a chance for Rumi Utsugi, but her attempt was blocked by China goalkeeper Zhang Yanru.
The Nadeshiko widened their lead nine minutes later when Kinga stole the ball from a China defender in the area and fired in from close range.
The Beleza player came close again in the 66th minute, but China substitute Wang Lingling blocked her shot.
Miyama had a mid-range shot in the 84th minute and Mana Iwabuchi almost scored on her debut, but the 2008 FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup MVP was offside.
Nadeshiko coach Norio Sasaki commented: “We struggled a little bit after failing to find our rhythm on offense and defense, but our defense came good and we started to make good transitions to attack.”
“I think we have developed our game in terms of moving the ball around, but we still need to improve our offense in the final 30 meters.”
Asked about 16-year-old Iwabuchi, Sasaki replied: “Basically, she is a player who can show good parts of her game more, but she looked a bit hesitant against the Chinese. I am looking forward to see what she can achieve.”

Teams:
Japan– Ayumi Kaihori, Yukari Kinga, Azusa Iwashimizu, Kyoko Yano, Aya Sameshima, Saki Kumagai, Rumi Utsugi, Aya Miyama, Homare Sawa, Mami Yamaguchi (Mana Iwabuchi, 65th), Shinobu Ohno.
Unused subs—Nozomi Yamago, Miho Fukumoto, Akiko Sudo, Kana Osafune, Manami Nakano, Nanase Kiryu, Yuika Sugasawa, Megumi Takase
Coach, Norio Sasaki

China
– Zhang Yanru, Liu Huana, Yuan Fan, Li Danyang, Gao Yan (Sun Ling, 83rd), Bi Yan, Xu Yuan, Pang Fengyue (Liu Sa, 86th), You Jia (Wang Lingling, 62nd), Han Duan, Ma Xiaoxu.
Unused subs—Weng Xiaojie, Wang Dongni, Jin Xiaomei, Zhang Ying, Zhang Na, Ma Jun
Coach, Shang Ruihua

Goals—Aya Miyama (19th), Yukari Kinga (61st) for Japan
Cautions—Mana Iwabuchi (Japan, 87th)
Expulsions—None
Attendance—7,459
Referee—KAMNUENG Pannipar (Thailand)