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Zambia crumbled against Japan despite several interventions from the Video Assistant Referee, VAR, to save the Africans from further humiliation.
Catherine Musonda was the villain as Zambia suffered a proper baptism of fire against Japan in their first-ever FIFA Women’s World Cup, FIFAWWC match.
Musonda had a match to forget as Japan thrashed Zambia 5-0 in their first competition game in Group C.
Zambia’s goalkeeper, Musonda, gave away two penalties and received a late red card on a bad day at the office from the FIFAWWC debutantes.
Zambia vs Japan: Match brief
The Africans, who are one of eight teams making their debut at the expanded FIFAWWC hardly troubled their Japanese counterparts for 90 minutes.
Japan totally dominated and outclassed the Copper Queens with Hinata Miyazawa the star of the show.
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Miyazawa netted a brace while Mina Tanaka had two goals cancelled in a stunning display from the Samurai Women.
It was the first-ever clash between the two nations at the FIFAWWC and the Asians were expectedly dominant and deserved winners.
The VAR show
However, Zambia had the VAR to thank as it made the result more respectable for the Copper Ladies.
The VAR came to Zambia’s rescue three times in the encounter, once in the first half and twice in the second half as it ruled out three goals scored by the Japanese.
Musonda becomes villain
Zambia’s goalkeeper quickly went from hero to villain against Japan in her nation’s historic debut.
The game was between Musonda and the Samurai ladies as the Zambian goalkeeper looked like the only one who came to the party.
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She made five incredible saves but couldn’t stop the carnage from happening in the end as she also conceded five.
While three of her saves came inside the box, she left the pitch as the villain after she conceded two penalties and received a late red card to leave Zambia to finish the game with ten women.
What next for Zambia?
The Copper Queens are the second African team to take to the pitch in the ninth edition of the FIFAWWC.
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Multiple African champions Nigeria Super Falcons were the first and got things off to a start with a positive goalless draw against Olympic champions Canada.
Zambia face Spain, who thrashed Costa Rica 3-0 in their opener, next in Group C.
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