South Africa’s senior women’s national team, Banyana Banyana, suffered a heavy 5-0 defeat to Asian champions Japan in their international friendly at the Yanmar Hanasaka Stadium in Osaka on Saturday.
The hosts, ranked fifth in the world, demonstrated their class throughout the contest, racing to a 3-0 half-time lead before adding two more goals after the break.
South Africa are ranked 58th.
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Aggressive start
Japan made an aggressive start and were rewarded early when Kiko Seike opened the scoring.
The Brighton midfielder was a constant threat and doubled her tally later in the first half after another swift attacking move.
South Africa struggled to contain the hosts, whose attacks repeatedly came down the left flank.
Goalkeeper Andile Dlamini produced several important saves to keep the scoreline respectable, but Japan continued to create chances at will.
Banyana Banyana had brief opportunities to get back into the match through Sinoxolo Cesane and Gabriela Salgado, but neither could find a way past Japanese goalkeeper Ayaka Yamashita.
Instead, the hosts extended their advantage before half-time when Momoko Tanikawa struck from distance, giving Japan a commanding 3-0 lead at the interval.
Dominated possession
The second half followed a similar pattern, with Japan dominating possession and attacking relentlessly.
Aoba Fujino added a fourth goal after a slick move before completing her brace later in the match as the hosts ran rings around the South African defence.
The result underlined the gulf between the two sides, with Japan showing why they remain one of the leading teams in women’s football.
Banyana Banyana will have an immediate opportunity to respond when the two nations meet again in a second international friendly on Tuesday, 9 June.
Kick-off is at 08:30 (SA time).