Internationals | Minutes for Koga and Hamano as Japan suffer defeat

Submitted by daniel on
Picture
Remote Image

Toko Koga and Maika Hamano featured for Japan in their 2-1 defeat to United States in an international friendly in the early hours of Sunday morning.

The young defender started and completed the full game at PayPal Park in San Jose, California, while Maika was a second-half substitute for her nation, stepping off the bench just before the hour mark.

Having won the Asian Cup last month, where Maika scored the winning goal in the final in Australia, Japan suffered a loss on their return to action for the first time since lifting the trophy after United States claimed victory in the first of their three meetings over the next fortnight.

Later in the day, two of our Academy players were on duty for their nations.

Goalkeeper Sophie Jackson completed another 90 minutes for England Under-19s, but the Young Lionesses were beaten 3-2 by Wales in Switzerland in the second game of their European Championship qualifying campaign.

Jhanaie Pierre was an unused substitute for Lauren Smith’s side, who now currently occupy third place in the rankings with three points, having beaten Lativa 5-0 in the opening set of fixtures.

England will take on hosts and group leaders Switzerland on Wednesday (12noon UK) in their final match of the EURO qualifier.