Japan defeated China in the semi-finals of the 19th Asian Games

China defeated the host 4-3, Japan entered the final of the Asian Games women's football to meet North Korea - the team that defeated Uzbekistan 8-0.

*Goals: Wang Linlin 20', Zhang Linyan 55', Yang Lina 61' – Yoshino 12', Momoko 31', Remina 35', Toko 43'.

Both teams have been impressive on the road to the last four. In the group stage, China crushed Mongolia 16-0 and then Uzbekistan 6-0. In the quarter-finals, they easily defeated Thailand 4-0. In three matches, the hosts have scored 26 goals and have yet to concede. Similarly, Japan beat Bangladesh and Nepal 8-0 and Vietnam 7-0, before defeating the Philippines 8-1. They average seven goals per match.

At the Linping Sports Center today, the two top Asian teams continued their top performance. Japan opened the scoring in the 12th minute thanks to a close-range tap-in from Nakashima Yoshino, after receiving a cross from Yamamoto Yuzuki. The home team immediately rose up and equalized from a set piece. In the 19th minute, from a corner kick on the right wing, the Japanese goal was shaken before Wang Linlin seized the opportunity to head the ball into the top corner to score.

China (red shirt) lost to Japan (blue shirt) in the semi-finals of the 19th Asian Games. Photo: CMG

The game continued to be a two-way affair, but Japan showed their sharpness in counter-attacking and finishing with three goals in the final 15 minutes of the half. In the 31st minute, Tanikawa Momoko dribbled into the penalty area, placed a low ball between the legs of a home defender before defeating goalkeeper Zhu Yu. Four minutes later, Chiba Remina finished off a perfect counter-attack on the right flank. In the 43rd minute, Koga Toko tapped the ball into an empty net from close range, putting Japan ahead 4-1.

In the second half, China regained their spirit and found confidence from a set piece situation. In two corner kicks in the 52nd and 61st minutes, Zhang Linyan and Wang Linlin scored to reduce the score to 3-4 for the home team.

It was thought that China would make a comeback, but Japan soon stabilized their formation and defended tightly. China did not create any more clear-cut chances in the remaining time, missing the chance to reach the Asian Games final.

In the other semi-final, North Korea had no difficulty in crushing Uzbekistan . Kim Kyong-yong contributed four goals.

The bronze medal match on October 6th became predictable as China had defeated Uzbekistan 6-0 in the group stage. A few hours later, Japan and North Korea were predicted to create an exciting final match. In the last four Asian Games, these two teams shared two gold medals, with North Korea winning in 2006 and 2014 and Japan winning in 2010 and 2018. If Japan wins, it will equal China and North Korea's record of three gold medals.

Starting lineup

China: Zhu Yu, Li Mengwen, Wang Linlin, Yao Wei, Wang Shanshan, Chen Qiaozhu, Zhang Rui, Yang Lina, Yan Jinjin, Zhang Linyan, Wang Shuang

Japan: Asano Natsumi, Koyama Shinomi, Goto Wakaba, Koga Toko, Wakisaka Reina, Shiokoshi Yuzuho, Nakashima Yoshino, Tanikawa Momoko, Amano Suzu, Yamamoto Yuzuki, Chiba Remina.

Hieu Luong

Source link