Matildas v Japan LIVE updates: Miserable Cup opener for Matildas as they suffer 4-0 defeat to Japan
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Matildas lose 4-0 to Japan at full-time
The full-time whistle blows in Houston on an icy game for the Matildas who lose 4-0.
In the final minutes of the game, Natasha Prior deflects a shot on goal for Japan blocking a fifth goal.
Australia 0-4 Japan
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Matildas scramble for conciliatory goal
The Matildas are looking for any opportunity to take something back from Japan in the last minutes of this game.
There will be two minutes of additional time.
Australia 0-4 Japan, 90 minutes
Japan and Australia make substitutions, Grant nearly scores for Matildas
Double goalscorer, Mina Tanaka misses out on a chance to score a hat trick for Japan when she is substituted for Miyabi Moriya.
Cooney-Cross is replaced with central defender Natasha Prior to make her fourth international appearance.
Australia narrowly concede a fifth goal and Charlie Grant hits the crossbar in a last-ditch attempt to soften the blow of this defeat to Japan.
Australia 0-4 Japan, 85 minutes
Australia flailing in attempts to prevent a fifth Japanese goal
The Matildas still have not had a single shot on goal in this match and have maintained just 40 per cent possession over the ball.
It’s a very crowded box for Japan as Australia try to prevent a fifth goal.
Australia 0-4 Japan, 80 minutes
Japan punishes Australia with fourth goal from central defender
A silly mistake from Clare Hunt leads to a corner for Japan. Emily Van Egmond replaces Katrina Gorry before the corner kick is taken but it doesn’t stop Japan from taking advantage of Hunt’s mistake.
Moeka Minami rises higher than Mackenzie Arnold to head the ball into the goal.
Australia 0-4 Japan, 74 minutes
Maika Hamano and teammates celebrate.Credit: Getty Images
Hope for Australia as Japan make more substitutions
Holly McNamara and Daniela Galic pair up in a hopeful change to Australia’s attacking front despite sharing eight international caps between them.
Goalscorer Maika Hamano makes way for Manaka Matsukubo who makes her international debut for Japan.
Australia 0-3 Japan, 70 minutes
Matildas make a quadruple substitution
Tom Sermanni is throwing everything to the wall and making four substitutions in the 63rd minute.
Mary Fowler, Caitlin Ford, Alana Kennedy and Clare Hunt come off for Holly McNamara, Daniela Galic, Charlie Grant and Winonah Heatley.
Australia 0-3 Japan, 63 minutes
Japan make substitutions at the hour mark
Riko Ueki and Hinata Miyazawa come on for Japan and Miyazawa makes an immediate impact forcing Mackenzie Arnold into a save. Ellie Carpenter clears it.
Australia 0-3 Japan, 60 minutes
Yallop down with injury
Tameka Yallop is down and holding her right knee after a small collision with Japan’s goalscorer Maika Hamano.
Medical staff are treating her and the Matildas are momentarily down to 10 players.
Australia 0-3 Japan, 56 minutes
Hamano adds to Matildas pain with early goal in second half
Japan score again with two-time goalscorer Mina Tanaka assisting Maika Hamano’s goal.
Australia 0-3 Japan, 52 minutes
Maika Hamano scores Japan’s third goal.Credit: Getty Images
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