Nadeshiko Japan opened the 2025 SheBelieves Cup with a dazzling performance, decisively defeating Australia 4-0 on February 20, 2025, at Shell Energy Stadium, Houston, Texas. This win marks the first match under newly appointed head coach Nils Nielsen and sets the tone for the tournament, showcasing Japan's exceptional football skills and team coordination.
The match started with Japan taking control early on. Just six minutes in, midfielder Aoba Fujino delivered a cross from the left flank. Tanaka skillfully redirected the ball with her right foot to score the first goal, catching the Australian defense off guard. From there, Japan continued to apply pressure with quick passes and strategic movements, creating multiple scoring opportunities.
Australia, ranked 15th by FIFA, found themselves struggling against Japan's relentless onslaught. The second goal came from Tanaka again, who took advantage of the Australians' defensive errors, extending Japan's lead to 2-0 before half-time. According to The Guardian, this was illustrative of Japan's effective coordination: "This goal symbolizes Japan's incredible technique; watching it felt like observing a surgeon at work."
The second half saw Japan intensify their attacking strategy. It was the brilliant teamwork displayed during the 52nd minute which captured the fans' and analysts' attention. Following a series of 13 passes exchanged among nine players, Maika Hamano finished off the play with Japan's third goal. The Australian Broadcasting Corporation noted, "The third goal was the result of beautiful Japanese soccer, and there’s hardly any defense capable of countering this movement."
Australia's interim coach, Tony Gustavsson, took the defeat with grace, stating, "Japan is simply wonderful. I must honestly admit I was completely overwhelmed today." His assessment reflects the high expectations faced by the Matildas, especially after their recent performances.
Completing the scoring, Moe Nakamura found the net for Japan, sealing the emphatic victory at 4-0. Throughout the match, Japan's defense remained resolute, allowing only one shot from the Australians, highlighting the team's discipline and organization under Nielsen's strategy.
Nils Nielsen expressed satisfaction with his team's performance, mentioning, "I’m very satisfied with today’s result. Our players showed excellent attitude and were quick to react to their mistakes." His style of play emphasizes ball retention and quick transitions, which were clearly effective against Australia.
Looking forward, Nadeshiko Japan will face off against Colombia on February 24, followed by another tough match against the dominant American team on February 27. Both fixtures promise to be challenging, but after this stunning opener, Japan appears ready to take on any opponent. Fans and analysts alike are eagerly anticipating how Japan will perform as the competition progresses.
With this outstanding start at the 2025 SheBelieves Cup, Nadeshiko Japan has proven their potential on the international stage, reiteratively reaffirming their status as one of Asia's premier women’s football teams.