Star playmaker Yui Hasegawa set up the opening goal and scored two more Friday as Nadeshiko Japan finalized their FIFA Women's World Cup preparations with a 5-0 friendly win over Panama.
The one-sided clash at Yurtec Stadium Sendai against world No. 52 Panama provided the last competitive tune-up for manager Futoshi Ikeda's 11th-ranked side before their departure for the World Cup, kicking off Thursday in Australia and New Zealand.
The home team created several early chances but lacked a finishing touch until Risa Shimizu hit the target in the 33rd minute.
Manchester City midfielder Hasegawa sent a diagonal ball over the top to Shimizu, with the West Ham right-back playing a long chip shot that grazed the fingertips of Panama keeper Yenith Bailey on its way to the back of the net.
Hasegawa doubled the lead with a classy finish four minutes later, running onto Mina Tanaka's through ball and angling her shot inside the opposite post.
"We were conscious of getting one of our defensive midfielders forward which allowed me to slip in from behind for Tanaka's through pass," Hasegawa said.
Aoba Fujino made it 3-0 with her maiden international goal in the 60th minute and Hasegawa bagged her brace a minute later, with her close-range shot taking a deflection that left Bailey stranded.
"I was a little lucky on the second goal, but you can only make that kind of thing happen if you shoot," Hasegawa said.
Moeka Minami completed the rout in stoppage time with a goal upheld after video review.
Japan, winners of the 2011 Women's World Cup, will aim to improve on a last-16 exit from the previous tournament four years ago in France.
They will be based in New Zealand for all three of their Group C games. They will open their campaign against Zambia at Hamilton's Waikato Stadium on July 22, face Costa Rica in Dunedin on July 26, and wrap up the group stage against Spain in Wellington on July 31.
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