Tampa: A youthful Japan's hopes of winning the SheBelieves Cup were dashed in a 3-0 defeat to an inspired England on the final day of the tournament in the United States.



First half goals from Lucy Staniforth, Karen Carney and Beth Mead took the game away from the Nadeshiko, and ensured Phil Neville's side - with an insurmountable seven points from three matches - became champions at the fourth attempt.

England's win is of particular interest given the two sides will meet the FIFA Women's World Cup France 2019 group stage, although Japan's line-up in that match is expected to be differ significantly to the one on show in Tampa, which included six starters with less than five international caps.



Both sides began the tie with the chance of winning the tournament still alive, but the Lionesses seized the initiative at Raymond James Stadium, taking the lead through Staniforth's low 20-yarder after the Birmingham City midfielder was supplied by Jodie Taylor in the 20th minute.

Taylor also supplied the second goal 11 minutes later, this time delivering a delicate cross from wide to set up Carney for a simple header after Japan were caught napping by a quick throw-in, and England's lead was extended further when Mead exploited the large amount of space made available by the Japanese defence to cut in and make it 3-0 at the half-hour mark.

Yuka Momiki, who appeared as a substitute after scoring against both the United States and Brazil, and pulled a decent scoring opportunity wide in the 59th minute, and Kumi Yokoyama did the same 10 minutes later as Asako Takakura's side made further inroads.

Hina Sugita came as close as any Nadeshiko player to scoring when she sent a headed effort inches wide in the 77th minute, but an unlikely recovery never really got going as England inflicted Japan's first loss in nine international matches.

TURKISH WOMEN'S CUP

Jordan ended their Turkish Women's Cup campaign on a winning note, finishing seventh with a 3-0 success over Turkmenistan, while Uzbekistan narrowly missed out on a top three finish with a 2-1 defeat to Northern Ireland saw them end up in fourth place on Tuesday.

India was the other Asian side in action in Alanya, falling to a penalty shootout defeat after a 0-0 draw against Kazakhstan. France's B team easily won the tournament, thrashing Romania 7-0 in the final.

RESULTS

Final: FRANCE B 7-0 ROMANIA

3rd place: UZBEKISTAN 1-2 NORTHERN IRELAND

5th place: INDIA 0-0 KAZAKHSTAN (KAZ won 4-3 on pens)

7th place: TURKMENISTAN 0-3 JORDAN

Photos: AFP


Source: the-afc.com