South Ladies Cup: U20 Lionesses lose first game to Japan by 3-0.

By Amina Hilda

The U20 Lionesses of Cameroon have lost their first match against Japan in the ongoing South Ladies Cup Tournament by 3-0.

Momoko Tanikawa, Moka Hiwatari, and Yuuka Kurimoto scored as Japan humiliated the Lionesses of Cameroon in what was the first match of the 2023 South Ladies Cup on Tuesday evening at the Parc de Sports Avignon.

Japan showed class in all facets of the game, which was primarily played in Cameron’s half, and earned all three points on an afternoon when Brenda Tabe and her team fell short of expectations.

Tanikawa scored the opening goal for Japan after 39 minutes of dominance from the young Asian Ladies. Tanikawa scored from close range to cap off another entertaining period of play for the Japanese. Hiwatari doubled the lead 10 minutes into the second half, and substitute Yuuka added a third to seal the easy victory for coach Michihisa Kano’s club.

Cameroon’s coach Ndoumou Mike’s team was defeated 48 hours after landing in France, leaving them two games against France on Friday and Panama on Sunday to earn points from the invitational event.

The four-nation event will determine the next winner of the competition, which the United States won last year. The South Ladies Cup is in its fourth year and aims to create a platform for emerging players to demonstrate their skills.

The Lionesses will be expected to pull something spectacular against France and Panama to try to catch up in the international friendly competition.

The tournament which kicked off in Avignon, France on Wednesday, May 17 will end on May 22.