The reigning Nadeshiko League champion Urawa Reds Ladies took the lead through Yuika Sugasawa’s penalty but failed to get their professional era off to a winning start on Saturday with a 1-1 draw against Mynavi Sendai in both teams’ first WE League preseason match.
Japan international Sugasawa put the home side ahead in the 37th minute from the penalty spot, but the visitors from Sendai equalized midway through the second half when forward Hinata Miyazawa blazed the ball in from nearly 15 meters out.
“In the second half, we improved our mentality and the players’ intentions changed,” Mynavi manager Takeo Matsuda said. “We managed to move the ball with confidence and the substitutes were able to involve themselves with the ball.