Manuela Paví and Riko Ueki went head to head in Colombia’s SheBelieves Cup clash against Japan in Arizona, USA, on Sunday, with striker Ueki's side running out 4-1 winners.
Both West Ham United women’s team representatives started the contest, which was only 18 seconds old when Japan opened the scoring through Momoko Tanikawa’s left-footed screamer from 25 yards out.
Their advantage was doubled seven minutes later when Mina Tanaka, fresh from her brace in Japan’s 4-0 win over Australia on Thursday, met Tanikawa’s corner with a clinical header. Hammer Ueki almost added a third, but her effort from the edge of the box flashed just wide of the post before the half-hour mark.
In the fourth minute of first-half stoppage time, Colombia halved the deficit through Linda Caicedo’s slotted finish but Japan restored their two-goal buffer 12 minutes after the restart, with Chelsea’s Maika Hamano, who replaced Ueki at half-time, firing into the bottom-left corner. Winger Paví was also withdrawn at the break. Then, with ten minutes remaining, Tanaka netted her second from the spot.
Japan lead the way in the SheBelieves Cup standings, but only on goal difference, with the USA also sitting on six points from two games after they defeated Australia 2-1 on Sunday.
Hammers skipper Katrina Gorry was an unused substitute in the clash and, like Japan, the host nation were ahead inside the first minute - with Lynn Biyendolo stabbing the ball home from close range after 42 seconds.
Michelle Cooper’s smart finish from inside the box in the second half proved to be the winning goal, as Australia pulled a goal back when substitute Michelle Heyman headed home with ten minutes remaining.
With Australia and Colombia yet to get off the mark after two games, Ueki will look to clinch the SheBelieves Cup title with victory over USA on Thursday.
Meanwhile, Shekiera Martinez was on target for Germany U23s in their friendly with Netherlands U23s on Monday.
The Hammers forward was sent on as a substitute with her side a goal down and conjured up a stunning equaliser, as she cut in from the left corner of the penalty area before firing the ball into the top-right corner.
Unfortunately, Netherlands U23 went onto score three second-half goals to secure a 4-1 victory.
Elsewhere, England U19s recorded their first win of 2025 as they scored two unanswered goals against USA U19s in the Albir Garden Tournament on Sunday.
Hammers striker Princess Ademiluyi was an unused substitute at the weekend as two goals in the space of nine first-half minutes from Lola Brown and Jessie Gale wrapped up the win for the Young Lionesses.
To view a full schedule of which women’s team players will be playing where during the remainder of the international break, click HERE.
