In the opening game of the EAFF Finals, a masterclass of possession football and accurate passing helped the Japanese womens national team overwhelm an organized but ultimately toothless Taiwan side.

Japan got things going in the 22nd minute when Haruna Aikawa snuck past Taiwan’s backline before selflessly passing the ball across the six yard box, allowing Miyu Yakata to finish off the move for her first national team goal.

The long ball over the top was clearly something Japan had been working on and Taiwan were being forced to pick their poison. If they sat any deeper, they would lock themselves inside their own half of the field. But if the Mulan dared to go too far up the field in search of the ball, a Japanese player was waiting to play the killer ball over the top.

Two minutes after conceding the first goal, Japan would double their lead by attacking down the flank and this time it was Yume Takikawa tapping the ball home to get her name on the scoresheet. Japan eventually added a third through the air as Hana Takahashi beat the offside trap and finished cooly for another goal.

Taiwan simply were not sure what to do with themselves and at times looked overawed by the confident, machine-like passing game of their opponents.

An unfortunate own goal from Chen Ying-hui was the last misfortune to befall Taiwan in a game where they knew they had to be perfect and Japan had to be uncharacteristically inefficient.

Taiwan will have two more games at the EAFF Finals but today was a reminder of how far ahead their regional neighbors are in terms of competitiveness.

Photo Credit: East Asian Football Federation