Eight of the 20 teams competing at the IFAF Asia-Oceania Flag Football Championships remain unbeaten after a thrilling opening day of action at the EV Arena Shah Alam in Malaysia, including four of the nine nations in the women’s competition.

Japan heads Group A with a 3-0 record, with 2-0 Australia hot on their heels and those two sides meet in a potential table-topper at 1pm on Saturday.

Japan scored the first points in the continental tournament’s history as quarterback Chihiro Iwata found Yuki Sato for a touchdown to take an early lead against Thailand in a game they eventually won 60-19. Australia’s Olivia Manfre scored a hat-trick of touchdowns in a 33-19 win over Indonesia, while Kodie Fuller, Marissa Hayes and Dania Herdman each scored twice over the course of the day and Hannah Monty came up with a pick six.

Hosts Malaysia (2-0) lead Group B with the Philippines at 1-0. Malaysia took first bow on the showpiece field live on IFAF.TV and were not intimidated by the traditional haka performed by New Zealand as Amalina Arifin caught the go-ahead touchdown pass from quarterback Zatesa Aznam.

New Zealand trailed 13-0 but their persistence paid off when Ellie McManaway used her height advantage to snare a pass from Dee Marsters for a touchdown and Amorangi Ngata-Atkins converted to cut the deficit to six points. In the dying minutes Tessa Peace’s catch came just out of bounds as New Zealand pressed, and Malaysia held on to win.

Philippines quarterback Gaby Dela Merced and wide receiver Nina Juan connected for all four touchdowns in a 25-12 win over India, whose Deena Kumar scored both touchdowns, including a pick-six.

Group A Results: INA 41 KOR 6, JPN 60 THA 19, INA 6 JPN 61, AUS 34 THA 19, JPN 39 KOR 0, AUS 33 INA 19

Group A Standings Japan 3-0 Australia 2-0 Indonesia 1-2 Thailand 0-2 Korea 0-2

Group B Results: MAS 13 NZL 7, IND 18 MAS 41, PHI 25 IND 12

Group B Standings Malaysia 2-0 Philippines 1-0 New Zealand 0-1 India 0-2

Photo: Gridiron Australia / Jack Foley Photography