Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Nanjing: A first-half brace from Japan striker Rikako Kobayashi secured a comfortable 2-0 victory over Australia in the opening Group A game of the AFC U-19 Women’s Championship at Jiangsu Training Base Stadium on Tuesday.
The three-time champions opened the scoring after 10 minutes through a close-range strike by Kobayashi, who then doubled her team’s tally just before the half hour mark after a turning in a corner from the right.
And although Australia struck the woodwork in a much improved second-half performance, Japan were able to hold out for a well-deserved win.
“My players were a little bit nervous at the beginning, but we got an early goal which settled us down,” said Japan coach Asako Takakura, who will now prepare her team for Thursday’s Matchday Two encounter with Uzbekistan.
“We expected Australia to attack and make it difficult for us in the second half, but my players performed well.
“We always train with passing and possession football, as it’s very important for us to play that way.”
Japan dominated from the off and had their first chance of the game after five minutes when defender Risa Shimizu broke down the right before crossing for forward Akari Shiraki, whose header under pressure from close in failed to find the target.
But the Young Nadeshiko did take the lead in the 10th minute when Kobayashi volleyed home from 10 yards after midfielder Hina Sugita’s driven through ball looped up off the head of defender Ellie Carpenter.
And after dominating possession with some impressive flowing football, Japan then doubled their lead in the 28th minute when Yuka Momiki’s corner from the right was flicked on at the near post by Shiraki and stabbed home from inside the six-yard box by Kobayashi for her second of the game.
The Young Matildas came out much stronger after the interval, though, and almost equalised in the 65th minute, when forward Sunny Franco’s long pass found midfielder Amy Harrison on the edge of the penalty area, but her left-foot effort on the turn rebounded back agonisingly off the left post.
After failing to match their performance in the opening 45 minutes, Japan almost wrapped things up with 10 minutes to go, but midfielder Meika Nishida’s effort from inside the box was superbly saved at full stretch by Australia keeper Teagan Micah.
Substitute Kiko Seike then rattled the post with a powerful attempt with three minutes left on the clock, before seeing her second effort in as many minutes well saved by Micah as Japan finished the game strongly.
“We knew Japan would be tough, but I was disappointed with our discipline in the first half as some of our players were chasing things too much,” said Australia coach Ante Juric, who will now look to lift his team for Thursday’s second group game against China.
“At half time I told them to keep their shape and try to keep possession better, and I was very impressed with our discipline in the second half.
“We’ve only trained and prepared together for three weeks, so overall I’m very happy with the first game.”
Photo: WSG