Banyana Banyana succumbed to a 5-0 defeat to a formidable Japan in the first of the two international friendlies played at the Nagai Ballgame Field.
The gap on the FIFA international ranking charts proved the fifth-placed Japan had an upper hand over a 58th-ranked South Africa. In the critical moment of the game, the first minute of the match, Japan scored their first goal. A lapse in concentration from the visiting South Africa resulted in a clean goal from the boot of Kiko Seike, who beat Andile Dlamini on the first post.
With Japan commanding a lion's share of the possession, forcing Banyana Banyana to play more back passes, pinning them in their half, and committing errors. Banyana Banyana skipper, Refiloe Jane, lost the ball on the verge of her box, which resulted in Japan winning possession, and Nagano spotted the run of Sieke and played her through; the latter slotted it past Andile Jane to give Japan their second goal in the 18th minute.
With South Africa chasing the game and leaving gaps at the back. Japan found their third goal of the match with a thunderous shot from outside the box. Hikaru Kitagawa beat Bambanani Mbane to the loose ball, spotted Andile Dlamini off her line, and beautifully sent the ball to the top corner in the 29th minute.
Though South Africa had their backs against the wall, Banyana Banyana won possession of the ball in their half. Linda Mothlalo broke the line to find Nthabiseng Majiya, who played through Noxolo Cesane, and Cesane forced a save from Ayaka Yamashita for a throw. From the resulted throw Antonia Moponya's throw was cleared only for the ball to fall for Gabriela Moodaly-Salgado and the JvW Girls Football Club attacker strike called Yamashita back into action then the Bayern Munchën shot-stopper put a strong left hand to diffuse the pressure.
Japan continued to dictate the tempo of the game. Going into the halftime break with a dominant 63% of the ball possession, South Africa had 37%. The Asian Women's Cup holders had threatened South African goals on six occasions with four on target. The 2022 Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) winners only managed to visit the Japanese goalposts on four occasions, with two hitting the target.
In an attempt to reduce the deficit, Dr. Desiree Ellis responded with the introduction of the pacey Thembi Kgatlana at the start of the second half. The experienced campaigner was called into action almost immediately as Linda Motlhalo played Kgatlana through, but the move was well read by the Japanese defense and let the ball roll through for a goal kick.
Japan continued to pin South Africa in their last defending third. It took Japan a mere four minutes in the second stanza to break the South Arican defense. With Aoba Fujino finding the back of the net on the 49th minute. Fujino found her brace eleven minutes later as she was 60th.
Japan sealed the first leg of the two international friendlies in style as they beat South Africa 5-0 as the two sides switch focus to Tuesday's match.
Banyana Banyana subs:
Nonhlanhla Mthandi (out) Thembi Kgatlana (in)
Noxolo Cesane (out) Issabela Ludwig (in)
Gabriela Moodaly-Salgado (out) Wendy Shongwe (in)
Linda Motlhalo (out) Bongeka Gamede (in)
Writer: Malose Lamola
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