AIFF Media Team

MUMBAI: Australia kicked off their AFC Asian Cup campaign in blistering fashion after defeating a hapless Indonesia 18-0 in a Group B game at the Mumbai Football Arena on Friday, January 21, 2022. Captain Samantha Kerr scored five while Emily van Egmond scored four for the runners-up of the 2018 edition.

Kerr, who finished third in the Ballon D’Or Feminin awards, encapsulated the Matildas’ ruthless streak, not content with sitting back after taking a comfortable lead. They scored nine in each half to send a clear message to the rest of the teams that they have their eyes on the prize.

In the other Group B clash, Philippines pipped Thailand 1-0 with a late goal from forward Chandler McDaniel in an evenly matched encounter.

Earlier in the day, defending champions Japan also got off to a flying start by beating Myanmar 5-0 in their Group C opener at the Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex in Pune. Yui Hasegawa scored a brace as the Nadeshiko, as they are nicknamed, put in a dominant second half display, scoring four of their five goals in that period.

Indian match officials Uvena Fernandes and Ranjita Devi Tekcham were part of the referees delegation as Assistant Referee and Fourth Official respectively.

On a hot afternoon, Japan dominated from start to finish as the whole game was mostly played in the Myanmar half. After a well-worked first goal from Riko Ueki, they found their footing and released their foot off the brake to overwhelm their opponents in the second half.

In the last match of the day, South Korea and Vietnam locked horns and it was the former who triumphed 3-0 thanks to a quickfire double in the opening 10 minutes, beginning with a stunning strike from Ji So-Yun from the edge of the box.

Ji, who is a team-mate of Kerr at Chelsea, ran the show in midfield from start to finish and also converted a late penalty as the Koreans were in total control, hardly needing to get out of second gear.