Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: Wins for Japan, Australia and Korea Republic underlined a successful day of action for Asia as elite women’s teams met in Portugal and Cyprus.
Algarve Cup
Japan 2-0 Iceland
Scorers: Hasegawa (11’,17’)
Two goals from 20-year-old Yui Hasegawa (pictured, above), including a superb long-range lob, secured Japan’s first win since March 2016.
The Nadeshiko bounced back from a disappointing opening day defeat to Spain, taking the lead after just 11 minutes thanks to a moment of outstanding individual quality by Hasegawa.
In just her second international appearance, the NTV Beleza midfielder spotted the Icelandic goalkeeper Gunnarsdóttir marginally off her line and executed a perfect 35 metre lob.
Hasegawa was on hand to double Japan’s lead just six minutes later, albeit with a much easier finish, when Kumi Yokoyama’s worked hard to keep a loose ball alive, and created a simple tap-in for the youngster.
The 2-0 success is a welcome return to winning ways for the 2014 AFC Women’s Asian Cup winners, whose campaign continues against Norway on Monday.
Australia 3-2 Netherlands
Scorers: Gielnik (16’, 31’), Kennedy (45’) | Miedema (75’, Spitse 79’)
Australia stormed to a 3-0 half-time lead, but had to withstand a late surge from the Netherlands to secure three points in Vila Real de San Antonio.
The Matildas’ supremacy with the dead ball was the key to their victory with all three of their goals coming from superbly taken set pieces.
The scoring began on the quarter-hour when Emily Gielnik, promoted to the starting eleven after Australia’s loss to Sweden, scored directly from a corner kick to stun Dutch goalkeeper Desiree van Lunteren.
Gielnik showed the first goal was no fluke, when she repeated the dose from a similarly positioned free kick 15 minutes later, and Australia went 3-0 up when Steph Catley’s inch-perfect free-kick was convincingly headed home by Alanna Kennedy on the stroke of half time.
UEFA Women’s Euro 2017 hosts the Netherlands were a different proposition in the second half, and goals from Vivianne Miedema and substitute Sherida Spitse brought them back into the match.
The Oranje nearly claimed an unlikely point, peppering the Matildas goal late in the match, but goalkeeper Lydia Williams stood firm and secured the win for Australia, who will meet China on Monday.
China 0-0 Sweden
Any hope of the Steel Roses winning the tournament appears to be over, but they did manage to secure a creditable draw against Sweden.
The Swedes arrived high in confidence after their impressive victory over Australia, but the Rio 2016 silver medalists were unable to break down a determined Chinese defence led by Zhao Rong and Wang Yun.
The Chinese team featured the attacking spark of Wang Shuang, Wang Shanshan and Yang Li, but neither side was able to break the stalemate, and the points were shared.
China’s next assignment could provide a preview for next year’s AFC Women’s Asian Cup; Bruno Bini’s side will meet Australia in an all-AFC clash In Albufeira.
Cyprus Cup
Korea Republic 2-0 Scotland
Scorers: Ji So-yun (48’), Cho so-hyun (74’ pen)
Korea Republic’s hopes of reaching the Cyprus Cup final received a major lift with an impressive 2-0 win over Scotland.
A goal to Chelsea star Ji So-yun and a penalty by captain Cho so-hyun secured victory over a Scotland side which had impressed in its earlier 3-2 victory over New Zealand.
The teams went to the half-time break locked at 0-0, but a fierce shot from Ji gave the Koreans the lead just three minutes into the second-half.
The points were secured when Cho made no mistake from the penalty spot after Lee Guem-min was fouled by Kirsty Smith in the penalty area.
The win is a timely boost for Korea Republic ahead of the 2018 AFC Women’s Asian Cup qualifying tournament to be held in DPR Korea next month.
DPR Korea 0-1 Switzerland
Scorer: Kiwic (88’)
DPR Korea’s commanding matchday one win over Italy was followed by a last-gasp loss to Switzerland at the Ammochostos Stadium in Larnaca.
In a match that appeared to be destined for a 0-0 stalemate, Switzerland took all three points thanks to an 88th minute goal from MSV Duisburg defender Rahel Kiwic.
The result is a blow for DPR Korea’s chances of reaching the final.
A Swiss victory in the final group match against Italy will be enough to eliminate DPR Korea from top two calculations, regardless of the result of their match against Belgium.
Photo: FIFA/Getty Images