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Banyana Banyana were punished for mistakes by Japan - Smeda

South Africa midfielder Leandra Smeda has blamed her side's 2-0 loss to Japan in Sunday's international friendly in Fukuoka on their defensive mistakes.

Having played out a 0-0 draw in their first meeting at the London Olympic Games in 2012, Desiree Ellis' team were aiming to bounce back from their Tokyo 2020 elimination against the Japanese.

However, first-half defensive errors saw Saki Kumugai and Yukie Sagamusa fire the 2020 Olympic Games hosts to their first victory over Banyana Banyana at the Kitakyushu Stadium.

And the Vittsjo midfielder, who celebrated her 100th international cap, refused to be disappointed and insisted her side will take some lessons from the defeat to the Asians.