PERTH: Bayern Munich midfielder Momoko Tanikawa finally cracked a dogged Taiwan on Wednesday as powerhouse Japan kicked off their Women’s Asian Cup 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.
In the later Group C match, Vietnam edged India 2-1 after forward Ngan Thi Van Su bagged a brace, including the winner in the 94th minute.
Japan are the highest-ranked team in the competition and 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 after attempting 30 shots and enjoying almost 90 percent 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 tournament in 2022, did not have a shot on goal but fought gamely with goalkeeper Wang Yu-ting producing a superb performance.
Under Nielsen, a Greenlander and 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 post as Japan racked up an astonishing 13 shots within the opening 15 minutes.
Taiwan’s woes deepened when forward Pu Hsin-hui limped off the field with an apparent knee injury.
They continued to bravely defend, leaving Japan flustered as the teams took a drinks break in the 32nd minute with the temperature hitting 36C.
Japan came perilously close to breaking the deadlock just before half-time only for Wang to prove a thorn.
Taiwan’s embattled defense 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 helpless when Tanikawa finally slotted home after getting on the receiving end of a superb pass from Hana Takahashi.
Japan’s celebrations were put on ice until VAR determined the ball had not deflected off Tanikawa’s hand on the way down.
It looked like it would be Japan’s only goal until Seike stepped up late to put the match beyond doubt.