In a disappointing debut for the Copper Queens of Zambia, they were outclassed by Japan in their Group C opener at the FIFA Women’s World Cup. The final scoreline read 5-0 in favor of Japan, who dominated the game from start to finish.
The first goal came in the 43rd minute when Miyazawa Hinata capitalized on a cross from Fujino Aoba. It was a well-executed move that caught the Zambian defense off guard. This early setback put Zambia on the back foot and allowed Japan to control the game.
Ten minutes into the second half, Japan extended their lead through Tanaka Mina, who expertly finished a pass from Endo Jun. The Zambian goalkeeper, Catherine Musonda, was left helpless as the ball found the back of the net.
Hinata was not done yet, as she added a second goal to her name in the 61st minute. Her clinical finishing was a testament to Japan’s attacking prowess. The Japanese team continued to push forward, searching for more goals.
Their efforts paid off in the 71st minute when Endo unleashed a powerful shot that left Musonda with no chance. The Zambian defense was unable to contain the Japanese onslaught, and the goals kept coming.
In the dying minutes of the game, Zambia’s misery was compounded when Musonda was sent off for a foul on Ueki Riko inside the penalty area. Riko stepped up and converted the resulting penalty, taking Japan’s lead to an insurmountable 5-0.
Zambia’s next challenge in Group C will be against Spain on July 26. The Spanish team started their campaign on a positive note, securing a comfortable 3-0 victory against Costa Rica. It will be a tough task for the Copper Queens to bounce back from their heavy defeat and put up a fight against one of the tournament favorites.
Despite the disappointing result, the Copper Queens can take solace in the fact that this is their first-ever appearance at the Women’s World Cup. They will learn from this experience and look to improve in their upcoming matches.
In conclusion, Japan showcased their superiority in the Group C opener against Zambia, securing a comprehensive 5-0 victory. The Copper Queens will need to regroup quickly and put this defeat behind them as they prepare to face Spain in their next crucial encounter.
