Japan Overpowers Czechia 21–5 with Dominant All-Around Performance

Japan controlled the draw circle and produced a balanced attacking display to secure an emphatic victory over Czechia at the 2026 World Lacrosse Women’s Championship.

Japan delivered a commanding performance to defeat Czechia 21–5 in Pool D action at the 2026 World Lacrosse Women’s Championship on July 24 at Oi Stadium in Tokyo.

The host nation took control from the opening quarter, combining quick ball movement, relentless pressure and efficient finishing to build an early advantage. Japan scored six times in the first 15 minutes and held a 9–2 lead at halftime before pulling further away with a seven-goal third quarter.

Chisa Kobayashi opened the scoring just 43 seconds into the game. Czechia responded through Vendy Šubrtová to level the contest at 1–1, but Japan quickly regained control.

Goals from Monika Jones, Suzuno Hosoda, Miho Sakurai and Kobayashi helped Japan close the opening quarter with five unanswered scores and a 6–1 lead.

Japan continued to dictate possession in the second quarter. Jones added her second goal of the game, Kokoro Nakazawa found the net, and Kobayashi completed another finish as the lead grew to 9–1. Belle Martire scored late in the period for Czechia, reducing the deficit to seven at halftime.

Japan Pulls Away After Halftime

Japan produced its most decisive stretch of the game in the third quarter.

Kobayashi scored her fourth goal shortly after the restart before Mayu Fujii and Megan Kitagawa extended the advantage. After Markéta Malinovská converted a free-position opportunity for Czechia, Japan responded with four consecutive goals.

Nakazawa was at the center of the surge, scoring four times during the quarter as Japan entered the final period with a commanding 16–3 lead.

The fourth quarter followed a similar pattern. Jones completed her hat trick, Nakazawa scored her fifth goal, and late finishes from Fujii, Hosoda and Kobayashi completed the 21–5 victory.

Balanced Attack Drives Japan

Kobayashi and Nakazawa led Japan with five goals each. Nakazawa also supplied two assists, finishing with a game-high seven points.

Hosoda and Jones each recorded hat tricks, while Fujii contributed two goals and two assists. Japan received goals from eight different players, demonstrating the depth and versatility of its attacking unit.

Japan finished with 21 goals from 31 shots, converting at an impressive 67.7 percent. The team placed 26 shots on goal and recorded nine assists.

The hosts were also dominant at the draw circle, winning 20 of the game’s 28 draw controls. Kaho Inoue played a major role in securing possession throughout the contest, repeatedly allowing Japan to establish its offense immediately after scoring.

Goalkeepers Runa Fujita and Hina Uchida shared duties for Japan, with each recording one save.

Martire led Czechia with two goals and one assist. Šubrtová, Malinovská and Michaela Jerichová also found the net, but Czechia was limited to 12 total shots and seven shots on goal.

Japan won every quarter—6–1, 3–1, 7–1 and 5–2—to complete an authoritative performance in front of the home crowd.

Game Summary

2026 World Lacrosse Women’s Championship — Pool D
Japan 21–5 Czechia
July 24, 2026
Oi Stadium, Tokyo

Quarter-by-quarter

Japan: 6 | 3 | 7 | 5 — 21
Czechia: 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 — 5