On Thursday 20 February (local time), Nadeshiko Japan (Japan Women's National Team) played their first match of the 2025 SheBelieves Cup at Shell Energy Stadium in Houston, where they defeated the Australia Women's National Team 4-0.

In his first match as head coach of Nadeshiko Japan, Nils NIELSEN opted for a 4-3-3 formation with YAMASHITA Ayaka (Manchester City) in goal and a back line comprising KITAGAWA Hikaru (BK Hacken), MINAMI Moeka (AS Roma), KOGA Toko (Feyenoord) and TAKAHASHI Hana (Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Urawa Reds Ladies). KUMAGAI Saki (London City Lionesses) anchored the midfield, while NAGANO Fuka (Liverpool FC) and HASEGAWA Yui (Manchester City) were paired as central midfielders. FUJINO Aoba (Manchester City), TANAKA Mina (Utah Royals) and HAMANO Maika (Chelsea) were named as the three attackers up front. Hasegawa, who has 91 caps for Japan, wore the armband for the match.

Despite playing their first match of the year, Japan looked composed from the outset and controlled possession against the semi-finalists of the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023™. The opening goal came in the sixth minute when Tanaka redirected Nagano's shot inside the area to give Japan the lead.

Gaining momentum from their first goal, Japan continued to create chances to threaten the Australian goal, including Tanaka's 26th-minute header that hit the crossbar. Tanaka then scored Japan's second goal in the 32nd minute when the striker latched onto Kitagawa's early cross and slotted home the ball.

The third goal came early in the second half when Fujino, Hasegawa and Tanaka combined to produce a superb interchange of short passes that set up Hamano for the tap-in. In an effort to reduce the deficit, Australia used long passes to create chances, but the Japanese defence, led by Minami and Koga, remained focused to keep the clean sheet intact, and with a three goal lead, coach Nielsen gave 20-year-old rookie MATSUKUBO Manaka (North Carolina Courage) her first senior appearance in the 70th minute.

Japan’s fourth and final goal came from a set-piece, where they played a short-pass to Kitagawa, who delivered an in-swinging cross towards the goal, allowing Minami to flick a header over the goalkeeper and into the net. The final whistle blew shortly after the introduction of MOMIKI Yuka (Leicester City), who was making her first appearance for the national team in four-and-a-half years, to signal Japan's first win under the new regime of coach Nielsen.

(※Comments from the Japanese players on this match against Australia can be found on JFA's various social networking sites.)

Nadeshiko Japan will play their second match against Colombia on Sunday 23 February in Glendale, Arizona.

Coach's Comment

Nils NIELSEN, Head Coach of Nadeshiko Japan
We had a clear idea of what we wanted to do as a team from the start of the game and I'm happy with the result today. One of the objectives for today was to take the initiative and we did that both on and off the ball. The players' attitude was also excellent. You always have to try and pick yourself up after a mistake and I saw that from everyone today. I thought the mistakes did not affect our overall performance and the players always kept a positive attitude. I think the third goal really showed what we had been working on and when we scored I was so happy I felt like a fan myself. If you look at the result today, we scored four goals and created even more chances. It's hard not to be happy about that.

2025 SheBelieves Cup

Tournament dates: Mon. 17 February - Fri. 28 February
Venue: Shell Energy Stadium, State Farm Stadium, Snapdragon Stadium (USA)
Tournament information

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