Nadeshiko Japan (Japan Women’s National Team) faced the Vietnam Women’s National Team in their second group stage match of the 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026 at Shizuoka Stadium Ecopa on Thursday 17 September, securing an 8-0 victory.

Japan made six changes to the starting line-up from their opening match and once again lined up in a 4-3-3 formation. ASANO Natsumi started in goal, with MIZUNO Fukina, ITO Juri, HAMADA Megu and KUWAHARA Ai forming the back four from right to left. SHIOKOSHI Yuzuho played at the base of midfield, with NARUMIYA Yui and TAKARADA Saori further forward, while YUMURA Hikaru, KAMIYA Chiina and TSUJISAWA Ai formed the front three. Yumura and Tsujisawa both made their senior international debuts.

Japan threatened the Vietnam goal with players from midfield joining the attack, and Kamiya opened the scoring in the 12th minute with a powerful strike from around the edge of the penalty area, drawing a huge cheer from the crowd with her second goal in as many matches. Shiokoshi then doubled Japan’s lead in the 19th minute from a corner delivered by Ito.

Japan continued to interchange positions as they attacked, while Ito and Kuwahara dealt effectively with Vietnam’s attempts to get forward. In the 44th minute, a cross from Mizuno resulted in an own goal to make it 3-0. Three minutes later, another Mizuno cross was headed home by Hamada for her first senior international goal.

Head coach KANO Michihisa made four changes at the start of the second half, with SUZUKI Sumire and OHASHI Sakurako coming into the back line and both making their senior international debuts.

Japan continued to attack down both flanks after the break, and Kamiya made it 5-0 with a left-footed volley in the 52nd minute. NISHIO Hanon, making her second senior international appearance, then headed home her first goal for Japan in the 79th minute, before captain Narumiya added a seventh with a lob three minutes later.

In the second minute of added time, Yumura exchanged passes with Suzuki before scoring her first senior international goal to make it 8-0. With several of the team’s new faces getting on the scoresheet, Japan secured their second consecutive victory.

The win took Japan to six points and kept them top of Group E, securing their place in the knockout stage.

Nadeshiko Japan will look to make it three wins from three when they face the Chinese Taipei Women’s National Team in their third group stage match at Shizuoka Stadium Ecopa on Monday 21 September.

Coach and Players' Comments

KANO Michihisa, Head Coach of Nadeshiko Japan
As with our opening match, we went into today’s game expecting it to be difficult. I’m pleased that we scored goals and picked up another three points, but I’m not satisfied with our overall performance or the quality of our play. There are things we need to prepare for ahead of the next match, including analysing our opponents, but first we need to focus on ourselves. We need to look back at today’s performance, see how far we are from where we want to be and think about what we need to improve for the next game. Intensity will be particularly important once we get to the knockout stage. We need to work backwards from our goal of winning the tournament, look at what we need to do to get there and keep improving from game to game.

FW #7 HAMADA Megu (RB Omiya Ardija WOMEN)
It was my first time playing at centre-back, so I went into the game knowing that even when we were attacking, I had to be aware of the threat from their quick players. The coach had also given me some instructions about our build-up, so I tried to keep looking forward and play forwards whenever I could. I later moved to full-back and managed to score as well, so I was pleased with that. It was a difficult ball for the goal, but attacking crosses is one of my strengths, and I’m good in the air. I tried to get above the defender and head it down into the goal. At this tournament, I’m playing alongside players I normally come up against in the WE League, so there’s a lot I can learn from them and there’s a really good atmosphere in the team. We all have one goal, and that’s to win the tournament.

FW #11 KAMIYA Chiina (Sanfrecce Hiroshima Regina)
I didn’t have many chances to get shots away in the first match, so when the opportunity came for the opening goal today, I just put my foot through it. Scoring gave me confidence, but it won’t mean anything if I leave it at that. I want to keep looking for goals in the matches ahead while also thinking about what I can do for the team. I feel that being selected for the national team for this tournament is just the starting point for me. I want to show what I can offer as a different type of forward — scoring goals, giving the team a focal point up front and contributing defensively — and become a player the team needs. I hope this tournament can help me get a little closer to becoming the kind of player the coach and my teammates can rely on and the fans feel confident having on the pitch.

20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026

Tournament Period: Monday 14 September – Friday 2 October 2026
Tournament information