Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Goa: Defender Ayumu Seko's first-half goal was enough to see Japan returned to the semi-finals of the AFC U-16 Championship India 2016 after missing out two years ago after they posted a 1-0 win over United Arab Emirates at GMC Stadium on Sunday.
Seko opened the scoring for Group B winners Japan 14 minutes before half-time of the eagerly anticipated quarter-final in a first period dominated by the Young Samurai Blue.
After the interval, Taisei Miyashiro hit the post from the penalty spot and Seko headed onto the crossbar as Japan strived for a second but in the end the 1-0 scoreline proved enough as Yoshiro Moriyama's side maintained their 100% record with Japan seeking a first AFC U-16 Championship title since 2006 having lost the 2012 final to Uzbekistan.
The fourth win of the campaign also ensured Japan return to the FIFA U-17 World Cup for the first time since reaching the 2013 Round of 16, with the event also set to be played in India next year.
Moriyama made nine changes to the team that defeated Australia 6-0 on Thursday, while UAE coach Abdelmajeed Al Nemer kept faith with the 11 that secured a victory over Saudi Arabia on Matchday Three.