Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Wuhan: Defending champions Japan will face Group A runners-up Thailand in the semi-finals of the AFC U-16 Women’s Championship after their 1-1 draw with DPR Korea in the showdown of the Group B table-toppers on Monday.
Sung Hyang-sim had stunned the holders inside two minutes but Hana Takahashi’s 64th minute equaliser gave Japan the point they needed to retain first place in Group B ahead of DPR Korea on goal difference.
DPR Korea will next face hosts and Group A winners China in Thursday’s other semi-final with the two winners of the final four fixtures not only proceeding to Sunday’s final but also securing the pair of places on offer for next year’s FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Jordan.
“It was a very tough game, especially as we conceded such an early goal, but I am happy that we were able to get back into it and score the equaliser,” said Japan coach Naoki Kusunose.
“DPR Korea was very strong, just as I expected. I wanted to win this game but we’re still happy to win the group anyway and go into the semi-finals on a positive note.”
Hwang Yong-song’s side had gone into the tie at Xinhua Road Stadium knowing only a win would be sufficient to emerge as Group B winners, with opponents Japan ahead on goal difference, and they started with a bang, opening the scoring in just the second minute.
An early attack saw Ri Hae-yon force her way into the penalty area and, although defenders quickly converged around her, the ball broke loose to land at the feet of Sung, who blasted it past Japan goalkeeper Momoko Tanaka.
Japan shook off their early shell-shock, though, and played their way back into the tie with Mayu Karahashi forcing DPR Korea goalkeeper Ok Kum-ju into action with a free-kick from 22-yards out on the quarter-hour mark.
Another set-piece on 37 minutes saw Ok take to the air again, this time spectacularly palming away Fuka Nagano’s top left-hand corner bound free-kick as the DPR Korea custodian continued to keep her side’s lead intact at half-time.
Six minutes after the restart, Riko Ueki tested Ok at her near post but the goalkeeper again stood firm, pulling off a one-handed block to push the ball away from danger.
DPR Korea did have an opportunity to increase their lead on the hour-mark, however, as Jon Sun-sim slid in at the back post following a ball into the box from Ko Kyong-hui, but her shot was blocked by a bravely onrushing Tanaka.
But just four minutes later, Japan had their equaliser as miscommunication between defender Jon Yun-sim and Ok allowed Takahashi to slip in and loop the ball over the stranded goalkeeper.
Stung into action, DPR Korea responded as Jon forced Tanaka into another flying parry from her angled 16-yards-out effort on 75 minutes.
With seven minutes remaining, Japan substitute Hinata Miyazawa unleashed a venomous strike from 20 yards but Ok threw herself to her left to tip the ball behind and ensure the scores remained level at the final whistle.
"We did our best in this game but I am disappointed we couldn’t get a second goal and win the game as we were hoping to go into the semi-finals as group winners,” said DPR Korea coach Hwang.
“After our early goal, the players maybe got a little over-confident and Japan were able to take advantage of that.”
Photo: WSG