Host nation Japan put on a first half masterclass against the Philippines in the women's football quarterfinals at the 2026 Asian Games, claiming a 4-0 win at the Shizuoka Stadium on Friday night.
World no. 5 Japan opened the scoring just three minutes into the match, with Takarada Saori finding her way past Olivia McDaniel.
The floodgates opened from there, with Ueno Mami making it 2-0 in the 26th minute and Takarada grabbing a brace 10 minutes later. Kamiya Chiina added a fourth at the stroke of halftime.
The Filipinas regrouped in the second half, where they held the hosts scoreless while threatening at points. They were unable to claim a breakthrough, however, and Japan progressed to the semifinals.
The Philippines' best chance came in the 79th minute, when Katrina Guillou's free kick found Mallie Ramirez inside the box. Ramirez's header was on target but collected comfortably by the Japanese goal-keeper.
It was a repeat of the result between the two nations in the AFC Women's Asian Cup earlier this year, when Japan clobbered the Philippines, 7-0, in the quarterfinals on their way to the championship.
Japan now plays the winner of the other quarterfinal between Uzbekistan and South Korea.