Risa Shimizu helped Japan get off to the best possible start at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup on Saturday morning, beating Zambia 5-0 in Hamilton, New Zealand.
The 27-year-old started in an advanced position on the right-hand side for Nadeshiko in their opening match in Group C, whilst fellow Hammer Honoka Hayashi was named on the bench.
After a very strong start from Futoshi Ikeda's side, on 21 minutes, Mina Tanaka thought she’d notched the opening goal of the match, sliding in and firing home after a free-kick wasn’t dealt with. However, after intervention from VAR, the goal was ruled out for offside.
Zambia goalkeeper Catherine Musonda made a string of strong saves to deny Japan, who dominated the first 45 minutes, with the goalkeeper impressing in the first half on only her fifth cap for her country.
However, the Japan pressure meant that the African nation would finally cave just before the break. A wonderful cross from Aoba Fujino found 23-year-old Hinata Miyazawa, who coolly slotted home her fifth goal for her country.
Shimizu almost added a second two minutes later, with the Japan No.2 stretching to try and direct a mis-hit shot on target, but instead her shot looped over the crossbar.
After the break, Japan and Tanaka had a second goal ruled out for offside. With the forward looking to get in behind the high Zambia line at every opportunity.
In a mad couple of moments, Musonda then raced out to meet Fujino head on, bringing down the forward in the process – but again, VAR intervened and ruled that Fujino was offside when the initial ball was played through. The goalkeeper received a yellow card, and that decision stood despite the penalty being overturned.
Eventually though, Japan found their second of the game. On 54 minutes, Jun Endo raced away down the left before crossing into Tanaka, who made a difficult finish look easy from close range.
Japan’s dominance reflected in the scoreline and this time Tanaka turned provider, drilling in a low cross that allowed Miyazawa to tap in her second of the game.
Endo added a fourth to round off a superb performance from the Angel City midfielder, before right at the end of the game, Zambia goalkeeper Musonda raced out again and gave away another penalty. She received her second yellow card and was sent off.
Eunice Sakala came on for her international debut and looked to have saved Riko Ueki’s penalty with her first ever touch in international football. However, VAR deemed the goalkeeper to have moved too early, and Ueki converted from the second attempt to round off a big win for Japan.
Japan will now prepare to face Costa Rica at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin on Wednesday 26 July, before rounding off the group stage action with a tough clash with Spain at Wellington Regional Stadium on Monday 31 July.
