On Thursday 10 June, the Nadeshiko Japan (Japan Women's National Team) played in an international friendly match against the Ukraine Women's National Team at Edion Stadium Hiroshima, where the team earned an 8-0 victory.

With the team entering their final preparation phase ahead of the Tokyo Olympics, coach TAKAKURA Asako made a few changes to their line-up, starting KITAMURA Nanami (Nippon TV Tokyo Verdy Beleza) in the left fullback position, while playing TAKARADA Saori (Washington Spirit) as a centre half. SHIOKOSHI Yuzuho (Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Urawa Reds Ladies) made her national team debut as the right midfielder.

Japan started off the match a little shaky, as they allowed Ukraine to exploit the open space behind their defence line to break through, but KUMAGAI Saki (FC Bayern Munich) was there to put out the fire. Just moments later, IWABUCHI Mana (Arsenal) forced a turnover deep in the opposing territory and started to carry the ball towards the goal. With the Japanese striker delivering a cut back towards the centre, SUGASAWA Yuika (Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Urawa Reds Ladies) dummied the ball to fake out the defenders, which allowed Shiokoshi to take a clean shot at goal and score her first goal with the Nadeshiko Japan. .....

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