PALEMBANG, Aug. 17 (Xinhua) -- Women's football newcomers Indonesia made a marvelous debut in their first Asian Games appearance, crushing the Maldives 6-0 in a Group A match, while 2014 Asian Games runners-up Japan trashed Thailand 2-0 in Group C.
Indonesia entirely controlled the match held in the Jakabaring Sports Complex here on Thursday evening, as none of Maldives team's attacks kept the host country's goalkeeper busy.
The Indonesian goals came from midfielder Muzdalifah Zahra and from forward Zp Mayang, along with goals from Sada Yudith Herlina and Sari Jesella Arifiya.
"This is a good start. Since we are newcomers here, if we can get into the quarterfinals it will be good for us. We will focus on the next match against Chinese Taipei who was defeated by South Korea. South Korea was a 2019 women's football World Cup qualifying team, a very tough team in the group right now," Ijatna Satia Bagdja said on the sidelines of the match here.
South Korea logged a 2-1 win against Chinese Taipei in the Group A match earlier in the day. The 2014 Asian Games bronze medalist will take on Maldives on Sunday.
Meanwhile in Group C women's football qualifying match held the Bumi Sriwijaya stadium, 2014 Incheon Asian Games silver medalists Japan team defeated Thailand 2-0.
Japan's goals came from Iwabuchi Mana and Momiki Yuka.
The Group B matches are scheduled to start on Friday afternoon. Team China will take on Hong Kong, and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) will battle Tajikistan.
