Full Time: Zambia 0-5 Japan (Miyazawa 43′, 62′, Tanaka 55′, Endo 71′, Ueki 90′)
Goalkeeper Catherine Musonda was sent off and replaced by Sakala
10:43 Japan almost scores
Martha Tembo clears off the line to ensure the scoreline remains at 4-0.
Lushomo injured and getting treatment on the side
10:36 Substitution
Ochumba Lubanji and Aveil Chitundu have replaced Mapepa and Ireen Lungu
10:34 Goal Alert! Japan with a fourth goal
It’s been a fustrating night for the Copper Queens
Zambia 0 – 3 Japan (Miyazawa 43′, 62′, Tanaka 55′)
Goal Alert!
Japan score from a very unlikely situation. Tanaka provides for Miyazawa
10:24 Goal Alert
Tanaka gives Japan the lead. Zambia has been dismissal in the second half.
They are making silly errors
09:50 Half time
After conceding, Zambia looked better on the ball
09:40 Goal Alert
A brilliant goal from Japan. It’s been coming.
Hinata Miyazawa scores Japan’s first goal of #FIFAWWC ! 👏🇯🇵
09:39 Zambia indebted to Musonda
Catherine Musonda has been the star of the show after she produces another World class save
09:34 Zambia yet to shoot on target
It’s just about soaking up the pressure for Zambia.
Lushomo Mweemba is back on the pitch
09:22 VAR disallows Japan goal
Still goalless
09:12 Japan hits the post
The Japanese have dominated with Barbra Banda isolated upfront.
09:07 Terrific stop from Musonda
Zambia survive a scare after Catherine Musonda’s terrific save.
09:00 We are underway from Waikoto Stadium in Hamilton
Zambia’s first ever appearance at a World Cup against former Champions Japan.
HAMILTON, NEW ZEALAND – JULY 22: Zambia players are seen on arrival at the stadium prior to the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Group C match between Zambia and Japan at Waikato Stadium on July 22, 2023 in Hamilton / Kirikiriroa, New Zealand. (Photo by Hagen Hopkins – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images) 
HAMILTON, NEW ZEALAND – JULY 22: Zambia players are seen in the dressing room prior to the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Group C match between Zambia and Japan at Waikato Stadium on July 22, 2023 in Hamilton / Kirikiriroa, New Zealand. (Photo by Maja Hitij – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images) 
HAMILTON, NEW ZEALAND – JULY 22: Zambia players are seen on arrival at the stadium prior to the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Group C match between Zambia and Japan at Waikato Stadium on July 22, 2023 in Hamilton / Kirikiriroa, New Zealand. (Photo by Maja Hitij – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images) 
HAMILTON, NEW ZEALAND – JULY 22: Zambia players are seen on arrival at the stadium prior to the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Group C match between Zambia and Japan at Waikato Stadium on July 22, 2023 in Hamilton / Kirikiriroa, New Zealand. (Photo by Maja Hitij – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
09:45 The national teams are out for the National Anthems
Zambia’s formation will be 4-2-3-1 formation.
Look out for the Kundananji- Banda combination
08:20 Team News: Ireen Lungu, Mapepa starts as Ochumba, Chitundu drop to the bench
Zambia XI: Catherine Musonda – Margret Belemu, Agnes Musesa, Lushomo Mweemba, Martha Tembo – Susan Banda, Evarine Katongo, Ireen Lungu – Xiomara Mapepa, Barbra Banda, Racheal Kundananji
08:00 Warm up
The girls are out on the pitch being taken through their paces
07:10 A historic day for Zambia – World Cup debut
Zambia take to the #FIFAWWC stage for th
07:00 FULL TIME: USA 3-0 Vietnam
The USA got their #FIFAWWC campaign off to winning ways as they defeated a determined Vietnam side.
AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND – JULY 22: Megan Rapinoe of USA controls the ball against Ngan Thi Van Su of Vietnam during the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Group E match between USA and Vietnam at Eden Park on July 22, 2023 in Auckland / Tāmaki Makaurau, New Zealand. (Photo by Hannah Peters – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images) 
AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND – JULY 22: Emily Fox of USA controls the ball against Nguyen Thi Tuyet Dung of Vietnam during the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Group E match between USA and Vietnam at Eden Park on July 22, 2023 in Auckland / Tāmaki Makaurau, New Zealand. (Photo by Hannah Peters – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
06:50 Chipolopolo coach Avram Grant, one of Bruce Mwape’s assistants at the World Cup says
“It doesn’t matter who the favourites are,” the 68-year-old said. “The most important thing is what you do on the pitch.
“We want to bring a winning mentality to Zambia. Having the women at the World Cup for the first time is a boost for everybody and we need to support them.”
06:40 Group C favourites – Spain
Spain, nicknamed La Roja, are sixth in Fifa’s global rankings and have players of the calibre of two-time Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas within their ranks, while Costa Rica start the tournament 41 places above 77th-ranked Zambia on the world governing body’s list.
Spain beat Costa Rica 3-0 on Friday
06:35 What is your predicted starting XI?
Let’s see how well you know the Copper Queens.
Below is the ZamFoot Crew’s probable XI.
Zambia Probable XI: Catherine Musonda – Margret Belumu, Agnes Musesa, Lushomo Mweemba, Martha Tembo – Susan Banda, Evarine Katongo, Lubanji Ochumba – Aveil Chitundu, Barbra Banda, Racheal Kundananji
ZamFoot Pick: Ireen Lungu – Start her ahead of either Ochumba or Chitundu
Good luck 🤞!!
I am confident we shall cause an upset.
Just because we can do it just with the 1st try.
We will soon start steaming into them.
Zambia 🇿🇲 kuchalo Zambia tuwina na One go go go go gooooooooo👌
Keeper’s in the building making sure we still in the game but our defence na midfield’s barely🤏 noticable. Making it difficult for any counter. Mapepa is offline. We need her in the party.
Kundananji & Barbra are under telescopic observations. Only a free kick around the 18 is our hope now.
The japs don’t stop. Imbondo.
I think they have played well. Japs really good team. Congratulations to them 🎊
Next time stop using Barbra banda or Rachel kundanaji put them for threatening the opponent don’t give them the ball but tell them to look for it and run through and pass to others you will thank me later
Good point we do not have players with the intellectual ability to find Banda /Kundananji with the accuracy & type of passes Japan were producing.
Barbra, Mapepa, Otjumba & Kundananji should look for the ball and create chances for each other .
Good point we do not have players with the intellectual ability to find Banda /Kundananji with the accuracy & type of passes Japan were producing.
Barbra, Mapepa, Otjumba & Kundananji should look for the ball and create chances for each other .
Comment: I this copper queens they have tryed because they have not playered fifa world cup and the other thing is that the boots there using was not the six stars, so next match against with the spanish they must you six stars in order to reduce falling down any how.