Asian 4 Nations: Seven try win for Japan
Japan - narrowly beaten the final of final of last year's Asian championship - open their 2014 campaign with a comfortable win over Singapore.
Published by John Birch, May 24th, 2014
3 minute read
A strong forward display saw Japan run out comfortable winners against Singapore with No. 8 Mami Okada scoring a hat-trick and hooker Seina Saito collecting a brace.
Japan had a 22-5 lead by halftime with Singapore prop Ti Tauasosi scoring her side’s only points of the match mid-way through the first half.
Scrumhalf Masako Koiso added a try for Japan, as did winger Ai Tasaka, who was also successful with a conversion as Japan ran away with the match.
Despite the convincing scoreline, Japan coach Goshi Aramizu is expecting improvement from his charges.
“Conditions were tough today but we made too many unforced errors. We will need to eliminate those and get back to playing the expansive game we want to be successful this week,” Aramizu said.
Singapore coach Danny Tauroa said, “We struggled with the intensity of the game against Japan, but I can’t fault the spirit of the girls. We never gave up despite being called on to defend a lot this afternoon.
“We need to be prepared for more of the same versus Kazakhstan, who will be even bigger than Japan. But these are the kind of games we need. We need to learn how to compete in matches like that; to take advantage of our opportunities and play the game more in our opponents’ half.
“But it was a good experience for us and it will hold us in good stead for what is likely be a crucial game against Hong Kong on Saturday,” added Tauroa.
Japan: Sayaka Yamamoto; Akari Kato; Mizuki Homma; Mizuho Ito; Emi Ito; Ai Tasaka; Mio Suzuki; Azusa Yama; Ayago Kosuge; Rina Kato; Saori Yamamoto; Seina Saito; Akari Hayashi; Moemi Goto; Yui Higuchi; Nanami Sugimoto; Maki Ito; Ayumi Inui; Yuka Igarashi; Mizuho Kataoka; Arisa Sakamoto; Mami Okada; Masako Koiso
Scores: Mami Okada (3T); Seina Saito (2T); Ai Tasaka (1T, 1C), Masako Koiso (1T)
Singapore: Annabel Woo Xue Ni; Yilin Wong; Ming Li Samantha Teo; Jia Yu Chan; Radika Palani Samy; Xin Yi Goh; Yu Hui Low; Jialing Derelyn Chua; Li Ying Jacqueline Sng; Shao-ing Wang; Mei Giet Koh; Ying Xie; Lu En Esther Phua; Christabelle Lim Mee; Shu En Charis Lim; Joanne Bala Archana; Ti Tauasosi; Yi Tian Lee; Gloria Yan Sharp Myers; Sophie Ngin Gollifer; Yuning Vanessa Chang; Si Ying Chang; Chiew Hong Sim
Scores: Ti Tauasosi (1T)
