Asian Cup: Australia crush Indonesia, champions Japan make profitable begin

Two-time defending champions Japan brushed apart Myanmar 5-0 of their opening sport on the Women’s Asian Cup in Pune on Friday whereas joint-favourites Australia thrashed Indonesia 18-0.
Chelsea striker Sam Kerr scored 5 instances and Emily van Egmond hit 4 in Mumbai as Tony Gustavsson’s facet confirmed no mercy to an inexperienced Indonesia facet marking the nation’s first qualification for the finals since 1989.
Ellie Carpenter, Kyah Simon and Hayley Raso claimed braces whereas Caitlin Foord, Mary Fowler and Aivi Luik had been additionally on the scoresheet because the 2018 runners-up made an uncompromising begin to life in Group B.Australia have been drawn with the Philippines and Thailand, who meet afterward Friday.
Australia Vs Indonesia Group – B match on the second day of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Women’s Asian Cup India 2022 at Andheri Sports Complex on Friday. Express Photo Amit Chakravarty
Earlier within the day, West Ham United midfielder Yui Hasegawa struck twice for Futoshi Ikeda’s facet as Japan made mild work of Myanmar of their opening Group C match.
Riko Ueki put the champions in entrance when she nodded in Hasegawa’s twenty second minute cross however it took till the second minute of the second half earlier than Japan doubled their benefit.
Hasegawa was launched behind the Myanmar defence by Ueki’s deft contact to fit dwelling whereas Hikaru Naomoto’s curling free kick gave the Japanese a 3rd 5 minutes later.
Yui Narumiya hit the fourth from the sting of the Myanmar penalty space and Hasegawa capped a positive show in stoppage time when she clipped the ball over goalkeeper May Zin New.Japan, who beat Australia within the ultimate in each 2014 and 2018, are joined in Group C by South Korea and Vietnam, with the pair to face off afterward Friday.

The 2022 version of the Women’s Asian Cup has been expanded from eight to 12 nations and serves as Asia’s qualifier for subsequent 12 months’s Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.Asia has been granted 5 automated berths on the finals along with Australia’s spot as co-hosts whereas two playoff spots are additionally obtainable.