Most players of the Japanese team have played together since the 19th Asian Games (ASIAD 19) last year when they beat Vietnam 7-0.

The Japanese footballers attacked the Vietnamese net from the first minutes of the game.

Goalkeeper Le Thi Thu kept the Japanese at bay for a time before striker Matsukubo opened the scoring in the 12th minute.

The striker then doubled the score in the 31st minute before completing her hat trick in the 44th minute.

Vietnam’s U20s couldn’t score any goals despite their best efforts. With the strong performance, the Japanese players scored a further six goals in the second half of the game.

At the 2024 AFC U20 Women's Asian Cup, Vietnam are in Group B alongside defending champions Japan, second runners-up Democratic People’s Republic of Korea who they play on March 7, and 2006 champions China who they play on March 10.

The top four teams of the tournament will qualify for the 2024 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup in Colombia as the AFC representatives.

VOV