On Saturday 22 July, the Nadeshiko Japan (Japan Women's National Team) played their first group match of the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023™ at Hamilton, New Zealand, where they defeated the Zambia Women's National Team 5-0.

Japan started the same line-up as their match against the Panama Women's National Team in the MS&AD Cup 2023 on Friday 14 July, with goalkeeper YAMASHITA Ayaka (INAC Kobe Leonessa) making her 60th cap with the national team. Team captain KUMAGAI Saki (AS Roma) was positioned at the heart of the three-back defence line, while NAGANO Fuka (Liverpool FC) and HASEGAWA Yui (Manchester City) anchored the midfield, with MIYAZAWA Hinata (Mynavi Sendai Ladies), FUJINO Aoba (Nippon TV Tokyo Verdy Beleza), and TANAKA Mina (INAC Kobe Leonessa) placed in the attacking third. The players wore armbands of mourning to express their condolences to Ms. TOTTORI Fumiko, the mother of JFA Honorary Patron, Her Imperial Highness Princess Takamado, who passed away on 18 July.

The match started with Japan taking the initiative, with Fujino’s shot from distance striking the goal post in the 10th minute. Tanaka Mina converted a deflection inside the box in the 21st minute, which drove the 16,111 spectators into a frenzy, but this play was reviewed and ruled offside by VAR. .....

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