Powerhouse Japan was frustrated for an ​hour by an obdurate ‌Taiwan side but ultimately prevailed ​2-0 at ⁠the start of its Women’s Asian Cup Group C campaign ‌in Perth on Wednesday.

Midfielder Momoko Tanikawa latched ‌onto a Hana ‌Takahashi ⁠ball and finished coolly ⁠in the 61st minute to finally break the deadlock. A ​powerful header ‌from substitute Kiko Seike added the second in stoppage time.

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The Nadeshiko, looking ‌to reclaim the title ​they won back-to-back at the 2014 and ⁠2018 Asian Cups, dominated possession but were denied ‌more goals by a combination of resolute defending and Taiwan goalkeeper Wang Yu-ting.

Taiwan, three-time Asian champion in the ‌late 1970s and early 1980s, ​parked all 11 players behind the ball ⁠for most of the game ⁠and was credited with no attempts on ‌goal in the official statistics.

Published on Mar 04, 2026