Bayern Munich midfielder Momoko Tanikawa finally cracked a dogged Taiwan on Wednesday as powerhouse Japan kicked off their Women’s Asian Cup campaign with a 2-0 victory in Perth.
Brimming with a talented squad featuring 16 England-based players, Japan dominated a one-sided match played in fierce heat.
But they were left frustrated by an inability to hit the target other than Tanikawa’s strike in the 61st minute and a header from substitute Kiko Seike in the 92nd minute.
The highest-ranked team in the competition at world No 8, Japan are desperate for a third title to add to their back-to-back triumphs in 2014 and 2018.
But they will need to clean up their finishing touches after attempting 30 shots and enjoying almost 90 per cent of possession.
“We need to be a little more sharp but this was the first game and we open with three points, so you cannot be unhappy with that,” Japan coach Nils Nielsen said.
Taiwan, who reached the final eight in the last edition in 2022, did not have a shot on goal but fought gamely, with goalkeeper Wang Yu-ting producing a superb performance.
Under Greenland-born Nielsen, Japan’s first foreign-born women’s coach, the team have vowed to play in a fast and brash manner.
Heeding Nielsen’s words, Japan were aggressive from the outset and peppered the goal but without success.
Taiwan were clinging on against the odds, with Wang pulling off a spectacular save to deny a bullet from Mina Tanaka.
Tanikawa then hit the left post as Japan had an astonishing 13 shots within the opening 15 minutes.
Taiwan’s woes deepened when forward Pu Hsin-hui limped off the field after an apparent left-knee injury.
They continued to bravely defend, leaving Japan flustered as the teams took a drinks break at the 32nd minute with the temperature hitting 36 degrees Celsius.
Japan came perilously close to breaking the deadlock just before half-time, only for Wang to prove a thorn.
Taiwan’s embattled defence had 35 clearances in the first half, with each one cheered enthusiastically by their vocal supporters, who livened up the sparse terraces.
Wang was again put to work after the interval as she smothered Tanaka’s attempt from short range.
But Wang was finally helpless when Tanikawa slotted home after being on the receiving end of a superb pass from Hana Takahashi.
Japan’s celebrations were made to wait, with VAR needed to determine whether the ball deflected Tanikawa’s hand on the way down.
It appeared to be Japan’s only goal until Seike stepped up late.
In the later Group C match at the same venue on Wednesday, Ngan Thi Van Su scored twice to help Vietnam beat India 2-1, with Sanfida Nongrum getting the reply.
