World champions Japan enjoyed an easy opening win at the East Asian Cup women's football tournament as they beat China 2-0 here on Saturday.

Two-time defending champions Japan took the control of the match early into the first half. Unmarked Kozue Ando met a through ball deep into China's box and opened the scoring in the 35th minute.

Emi Nakajima, who substituted Kozue Ando late in the first half, received a low cross in the box and sealed Japan's victory with her left foot goal in the 57th minute.

It was China's seventh consecutive loss to Japan, who won the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup. In Japan's 23-member squad at the East Asian Cup, 16 players were from the World Cup championship squad.

South Korea and DPR Korea are the other two teams that compete in the women's event. Endi

Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)