The Copper Queens of Zambia were not given a royal reception in their first ever match at the FIFA Women’s World Cup as they were hammered 5-0 by Japan in the second Group C match in Hamiltion, New Zealand.
Hinata Miyazawa opened scoring two minutes before half time. Five minutes into the second half, Mina Tanaka made it 2-0. Seven minutes later Hinata Miyazawa scored the third goal and her second for the day. In the 71st minute Jun Endo scored Japan’s fourth goal.
Zambia goalkeeper, Catherine Musonda was sent off deep into extra time, when she got a second yellow card after conceding a penalty. She was replaced by Eunice Sakala, who saved Riko Ueki’s penalty but she was ruled to have come off her line. The penalty was retaken and Ueki made no mistake to make it five for the Asians.
Catherine Musonda was sent off after conceding a penalty
Japan leapfrogged Spain to top of the group on goal difference. Recall that Spain, yesterday, thrashed Costa Rica 3-0.
On Wednesday, the Copper Queens will seek to lunch their World Cup campaign back on track when they confront Spain while Japan will tread tackles with Costa Rica.
