Amman: Reigning AFC Women’s Asian Cup champions Japan showed they are title contenders once again, cruising to a 4-0 Matchday One victory over Vietnam on Saturday.

Early strikes from Kumi Yokoyama and Emi Nakajima put the Nadeshiko in the driver’s seat, before Mana Iwabuchi and substitute Mina Tanaka added gloss to the scoreline after half-time.

Japan, led by a standout performance from Iwabuchi, who provided two assists in addition to her goal, were rarely tested by the Southeast Asians and started emphatically as they seek to defend the continental title they won in Vietnam four years ago.

It took just three minutes for Asako Takakura’s charges to open the scoring through Yokoyama, who punished some poor Vietnamese defending to beat a sluggish Dang Thi Kieu Trinh from 15 metres......

＞＞READ MORE "AFC Official Site"