Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: Japan turned on the power in the second half as they came from a goal down to defeat Australia 3-1 in their AFC U-16 Championship Malaysia 2018 semi-final at the National Stadium on Thursday.
Japan will play Tajikistan in Sunday's final after the Central Asians defeated Korea Republic in the other semi-final.
Australia got off to a dream start when Noah Botic converted a seventh minute penalty but a second half brace from Toyama Shoji and one from Shunsuke Mito took Japan to within one match of a third AFC U-16 Championship title.
Australia made four changes from their quarter-final starting lineup but maintained livewire Botic, while Japan only kept four players from their 2-1 win against Oman, fielding Yusuke Aoki and Shoji to bolster their attack.
Japan held the upper hand in the opening minutes with their heavy pressing but Trevor Morgan’s side kept their composure and soaked up the pressure.
www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/noah_botic-australiau16.html
www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/australia-japan2.html
www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/shoji_toyama1-japanu16.html
