Taiwan’s women’s national soccer team lost their second game of the 2022 EAFF E-1 Football Championship against Japan on Saturday, falling 4-1 to the tournament hosts at Kashima Soccer Stadium in Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan.
Taiwan took an early lead 1-0 thanks to a header by defender Su Sin-yun (蘇芯芸) from the center of the goal area in the eighth minute following a corner from teammate Chen Yen-ping (陳燕萍).
However, Japan leveled the score at 1-1 six minutes later when forward Remina Chiba headed into the net from the right side of the six-yard box, deflecting off the crossbar and left post.
Growing in confidence, Japan took the lead just before half time when midfielder Hikaru Naomoto crossed to the right side of the six-yard box for forward Mami Ueno to head into the bottom left corner.
After the break, Japan scored two more goals, including a right footed shot by defender Kiko Seike from the right side of the box that deflected off Taiwan defender Chang Su-hsin (張愫心) into the net in the 57th minute.
Japan’s last goal to seal the 4-1 victory came in the 72nd minute from forward Yuika Sugasawa, who sent a right footed shot from the center of the box straight into the bottom right corner giving the goalkeeper no chance.
After the match, Taiwan team head coach Yen Shih-kai (顏士凱) said he was happy with the team’s early play, but added that giving away four goals is “not something to be happy about.”
“In the next game, the aim is to reduce the number of goals conceded, so victory is a possibility,” Yen said.
Taiwan next faces South Korea on Tuesday at Kashima Soccer Stadium.
The 2022 edition of the women’s EAFF E-1 Football Championship kicked off Tuesday, and features teams from Taiwan, China, Japan, and South Korea competing in a single round-robin format from July 18-27 at Kashima Soccer Stadium and Aichi Prefecture’s Toyota Stadium.

Source: Focus Taiwan News Channel