Melbourne Victory suffered a 5-0 loss to Nippon TV Beleza at the AFC Women’s Club Championship on Saturday.
Summary
Mina Tanaka scored a hat-trick to go with a Sara Ito penalty and late Kokona Iwasaki goal at the Yongin Citizen Sports Park.
Beleza, which had 11 current Japan internationals in its squad, was crowned champion of the tournament courtesy of its win.
Victory was pushed back early and it fell behind in the eighth minute, Tanaka heading a cross from the right into the bottom corner.
Casey Dumont was called into action in the 21st minute, the Victory goalkeeper making an excellent save with her feet to deny Jun Endo.
However, Beleza would double its lead through Ito, who converted a penalty after being brought down by Teigen Allen.
Tanaka made it 3-0 early in the second half, producing a composed finish after a pass over the top of the Victory defence.
The 25-year-old had her hat-trick soon after, tapping in a cross from the left to add to Beleza’s lead.
Beleza sealed its win in additional time through Iwasaki, who picked out the top corner from 20 yards.
Result
AFC Women’s Club Championship 2019 Match Day 3
Melbourne Victory 0
Nippon TV Beleza 5 (Mina Tanaka 8’/48’/55′, Sara Ito 34′ pen, Kokona Iwasaki 90+1′)
Next up
Victory returns to Westfield W-League action, hosting the Western Sydney Wanderers at Latrobe City Stadium on Saturday, December 7.
