KOBE (Interstat) — Inac Kobe Leonesa W scored four goals and defeated visiting Bam Khatoon W 4-1 on Sunday, using a first-half strike and an early second-half goal to take control before finishing its chances down the stretch. The home side improved its record in this competition to 1-0 and moved to 5-3-1 across all competitions this season. Bam Khatoon W fell to 0-1 in the competition and 0-1 across all competitions.

Bam Khatoon W answered with a goal from Zahra Sarbali Alishan, who played 90 minutes and scored once. Yui Narumiya had one goal in 90 minutes for Inac Kobe Leonesa W. Mao Kubota scored in 44 minutes. Ayaka Michigami played 90 minutes and recorded an assist, while Fukina Mizuno had an assist in 70 minutes. The key performances gave Inac Kobe Leonesa W production from multiple attacking positions and gave Bam Khatoon W a scoring response.

Narumiya opened the scoring in the 35th minute. Kubota added the home side’s second goal in the 50th minute. Inac Kobe Leonesa W continued to press after halftime and eventually produced a four-goal match, while Bam Khatoon W’s goal from Zahra Sarbali Alishan kept the visitors within reach for a portion of the contest. The home side’s attacking play produced chances on both sides of halftime, and Bam Khatoon W’s defense had to absorb pressure during long stretches. Inac Kobe Leonesa W protected its lead and closed out the win at home.

Bam Khatoon W was reduced to 10 players in the 66th minute when Didar S. was shown a red card. The dismissal left the visitors with a player disadvantage for the final stretch and forced them to defend with greater urgency. Inac Kobe Leonesa W made a substitution at halftime involving Minowa C. and used two more changes in the 70th minute involving Ota M. and Mizuno F. Bam Khatoon W made a substitution in the 52nd minute involving Hamoudi M. The changes did not alter the scoreline immediately, and Inac Kobe Leonesa W maintained its advantage through the closing minutes. The match continued without further disciplinary incidents noted in the available summary.

The result gave Inac Kobe Leonesa W a victory after consecutive losses. Inac Kobe Leonesa W had lost its previous two matches before Sunday, including a 2-0 defeat at Urawa W and a 2-1 loss to JEF United W. Inac Kobe Leonesa W’s earlier results this season included a 4-3 win at Mynavi Sendai W, a 2-1 win at Parceiro Nagano W, a 1-0 win at Mynavi Sendai W and a 4-1 win at Nojima Stella W. The side also drew 2-2 with AC Nagano Parceiro Ladies and lost 3-0 to Sanfrecce Hiroshima W. Inac Kobe Leonesa W’s overall record now stands at 5-3-1. Bam Khatoon W remained 0-1 in all competitions after the loss.

Inac Kobe Leonesa W will next turn its attention to a WE League match at Omiya W, followed by another league match at Beleza W. Bam Khatoon W will look to rebound in its next competition fixture after the away defeat. Bam Khatoon W’s next competition match will be an opportunity to respond after opening its competition account with a loss. Inac Kobe Leonesa W also has upcoming league matches against Omiya W, AC Nagano Parceiro Ladies, Beleza W and Nojima Stella W on its schedule. The game featured five total goals, with the home side scoring four.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Inac Kobe Leonesa W 2, Bam Khatoon W 0. Interstat’s ELO system had projected Inac Kobe Leonesa W with a 71.6 percent probability to win. Inac Kobe Leonesa W had been installed as a pregame favorite with a spread of -2.5. The total score of 5 went under the over/under line of 3.5.