MARGAO: Japan routed Tanzania 4-0 in a Group D match of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup on Wednesday.
After a fairytale qualifying campaign, the Africans’ debut in the tournament met with tragedy after just 20 minutes when Neema Kinega was shown a red card via VAR.
It compounded Tanzania’s woes in the wake of a spirited Japanese challenge.
It took time for Japan, however, to draw first blood and it wasn’t until the 33rd minute when Uno Shiragaki scored from Miyu Matsunga’s assist that a valiant goalkeeper Husna Mtunda was beaten and the deadlock broken.
The post, bar and Mtunda prevented another Japanese goal but only till the 67th minute when Mao Itamura scored a gem after hoodwinking one defender, nutmegging another and outwitting the goalkeeper from an acute angle.
Ai Tsujisawa (75’) and Player-of-the-Match Momoko Tanikawa (81’) with a delightful free-kick from 20 yards out completed Tanzania’s misery.
