India's Sanfida Nongrum, right, celebrates after scoring her team's first goal during the Women's Asia Cup soccer match between India and Vietnam in Perth, Australia. (AP)

PERTH, Australia, March 4,(AP): Momoko Tanikawa and Kiko Seike scored second-half goals as Japan overcame the heat and a determined Taiwan defense on Wednesday to open Group C with a 2-0 win at the Women’s Asian Cup.

Ngân Thi Van Su scored twice, including the clincher in the fourth minute of stoppage time, to guide Vietnam to a 2-1 win over India that completed the opening matches for the tournament’s 12 teams.

Japan won back-to-back titles in 2014 and '18 and entered the tournament in Australia as a favorite.

After failing to convert multiple chances in the first hour, Japan finally opened the scoring when Momoko Tanikawa controlled Hana Takahashi’s long, lofted pass, steadied herself, and finished with a neat right-foot shot from close range in the 61st minute.

Seike doubled the lead in the second of seven minutes of added time when she leaped to get above the defenders on the edge of the box and headed in Remina Chiba’s high cross from the left.

Japan had 30 shots at goal, including 10 on target, from almost 90% of possession. Taiwan didn't fire a shot on goal but did well to keep the margin to two goals.

Yui Hasegawa’s last-minute shot was tipped over the crossbar by Taiwan goalkeeper Wang Yu-ting.

Match officials allowed a cooling break in each half, with players taking a few minutes to use ice bags on their faces and necks and drink water as the temperature in the Western Australian capital headed toward 37 Celsius (99 Fahrenheit).

Van Su curled a right-foot shot into the top corner from the left side in the 30th minute, and Vietnam almost went ahead 2-0 just after halftime but had a goal disallowed on VAR.

The review determined that a long cross into the box touched the arm of Nguyễn Thị Thanh Nhã before Thái Thi Thao tapped in amid a goalmouth scramble in the 48th.

India equalized four minutes later on a counterattack when substitute Sanfida Nongrum launched a left-foot strike over the Vietnam goalkeeper.

The game appeared set for a draw until Vu Thi Hoa crossed from the left and Van Su fired a left-foot shot between the legs of a defender to seal the victory.

It was a setback for India, which hosted the 2022 Women’s Asian Cup but had to withdraw after an outbreak of COVID-19 within the squad.

Sara Didar choked back tears as she shared the Iranian soccer team's concerns for their families and loved ones at home amid the war while they're in Australia, contesting the Women’s Asian Cup.

"Obviously, we’re all concerned, and we’re sad at what has happened to Iran and our families in Iran,” Didar said in comments translated to English during a news conference on Wednesday on the eve of a Group A game against Australia.

"I really hope for our country to have good news ahead.