The FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 continued in high gear on Saturday with a Group C match between Zambia and Japan at the FMG Stadium Waikato in New Zealand.
This was the World Cup debut for Zambia, who, ranked 77th in the world, are the lowest-ranked team to ever qualify for the tournament. Japan now has a lot more experience, having featured eight times and winning everything in 2011.
And that experience was reflected in the team repelling five goals from their opponents – the most goals scored by any previous team in the tournament and the second-biggest World Cup win of all time. The greatest: A six-goal victory against Argentina in the group stage in 2003.
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Japan 5, Zambia 0
90.+11′: Take advantage of the penalty kick
Japan scored their fifth goal of the game with a late PK. The first try missed but Japan got a second chance when it was discovered that Zambia’s goalkeeper came off the line early.
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90+8′: No goalkeeper anymore
Things went from bad to worse for Zambia in the closing seconds of the game as starting goalkeeper Catherine Musonda received a red card for trying to stop an attempt on goal in the penalty area.
Musonda started the game as a replacement for Zambia’s longtime regular Hazel Nali, who tore an ACL just before the tournament. The exclusion meant trouble for the Copper Queens, who will have to use their third goalkeeper against Spain.
71′: Jun in July!
Assist a goal and then score one. It’s only right! Jun Endo added another goal to her impressive tally late in the game when she broke away from the defense and put a screeching shot into the net.
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62 minutes: Offensive attack!
Japan’s two previous goalscorers – Mina Tanaka and Hinata Miyazawa – made a great effort in Japan’s third goal of the game. Tanaka saved the ball just before going off near the Zambian goal and shook a great dime to Tanaka who completed the job in front of the net.
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55′: IT’S GOOD
After two offside penalties for possible goals against, Tanaka finally got her goal when she converted a skillful pass from Endo with a gentle slip. It was Tanaka’s fifth goal in international play.
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48′: Over aggressive
What could have been another goal for Japan was rescinded after the VAR determined Tanaka was just a hair’s breadth offside. For the team it was already the third point that was taken off the board due to an offside penalty.
43′: GOAL! A sweet pass sets the score
Teamwork makes the dream come true! Japan played crisp football in the first half and finally saw their work pay off as Miyazawa scored a crucial goal with her fifth international goal.
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20′: It doesn’t count!
Japan were under pressure from the start of the game and after several early chances, they managed to score thanks to a superb shot from Tanaka. But after the referees checked the VAR, the goal was annulled by an offside call.
9′: Clink!
Musonda was put to the test early on when Japan fired off a fearsome shot that went just wide of the target and ricocheted over the post.
6′: Intervene, step forward
After losing their first-choice goalkeeper, Zambia got a huge boost early on when substitute goalkeeper Musonda showed her composure by thwarting an early shot attempt.
5′: Push forward
Japan need a major tournament from their forwards if they are to relive the success of a decade ago and Tanaka showed her aggressiveness early on by putting pressure on Zambia’s defence.
FOREPLAY
Prepare the stage
The World Cup NOW team followed the game live on Twitter before kick-off.
Get into the rhythm
Zambia’s Copper Queens were in high spirits as they prepared to take the field for their World Cup debut. In fact, they have their very own World Cup song on sale right now!
“Practice every day with high goals”
Japanese Jun Endo has been playing soccer since she was two years old. In this video she shares some advice for young players.
Ready to go
These teams have different levels of experience, but both want to start fast and make a splash in this tournament.
Check out the full Women’s World Cup schedule here and find out how to watch every game live. The latest results can be found here.