Mina Tanaka scored a pair of first-half goals and assisted on a second-half goal as Japan opened the SheBelieves Cup with a 4-0 win over Australia.

The Matildas have had a nightmare start to the SheBelievesCup with their biggest-ever defeat to Japan - a 4-0 thrashing - in Houston on Friday morning (AEDT).

Japan and USA won opening games at the SheBelieves Cup, Canada and China drew at the Pinatar Cup while Mexico picked up three points. Japan overcame Australia 4-0, Mina Tanaka’s first-half double including a shot through the legs of goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold.

The United States defeated Colombia 2-0, while Japan thrashed Australia 4-0 on the opening day of the invitational SheBelieves Cup in Houston.

Australia women's coach Tom Sermanni has taken his team to task after a full-strength Matildas side slumped to their heaviest defeat to Japan in a 4-0 horror show in Houston on Thursday.

Here's what to know to catch every USWNT game in the SheBelieves Cup: The SheBelieves Cup will begin on Thursday, Feb. 20 and end on Wednesday, Feb. 26. The USWNT will open the tournament against Colombia on Thursday, Feb. 20 before playing Australia on Sunday, Feb. 23. It will close it out against Japan on Wednesday, Feb. 26.