VANCOUVER, June 8 -- Aya Miyama scored a penalty kick to help defending champions Japan lead debutantes Switzerland 1-0 at the first half in Women's World Cup group C here on Monday.

The Japanese captain converted the spot kick to gift the reigning champions a comfortable lead in the 29th minute after Kozue Ando was fouled inside the box by Swiss keeper Gaelle Thalmann.

The Swiss nearly took the lead in the 11th minute, as Romona Bachmann's solo effort was stopped by Japanese keeper Erina Yamane. Miyama made threat with a long shot going wide of the left post in the 14th minute.

Switzerland almost equalized three minutes before halftime, only to see Bachmann's long-range attempt just off the left post.