Cyprus Cup
Final:
Switzerland 1–0 Korea Republic
Scorer: Dickenmann (58’)
A goalkeeping error was enough to decide a close-fought Cyprus Cup final, and prevent Korea Republic from claiming their most significant piece of international silverware to date at the AEK Arena in Larnaca.
A free-kick from VfL Wolfsburg’s Lara Dickermann – which appeared to be intended as a cross rather than a shot – managed to evade every player in the crowded penalty area before skidding into the net just before the hour mark.
Dickermann’s goal was the first to be conceded by the Koreans in the tournament but, unlike in their impressive wins against Scotland and New Zealand, they were unable to find a decisive goal of their own.
Switzerland’s win marks a continuation of their rise in women’s international football, claiming a Cyprus Cup title to go along with first-time qualifications for the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup, and this year’s European Championships.
Despite Korea Republic’s loss, Yoon Deok-yoo’s team has exceeded expectations in Cyprus and – buoyed by the form of Ji So-yun and Cho So-hyun – can look forward to next month’s AFC Women’s Asian qualifying tournament in Pyongyang with confidence.
Third place match:
DPR Korea 2–0 Republic of Ireland
Scorers: Wi Jong-sim (73’), Kim Ryu-song (85’)
Korea Republic’s most anticipated rival in AFC Women’s Asian Cup qualifying, DPR Korea rounded off their Cyprus Cup campaign with a comfortable win over the previously unbeaten Republic of Ireland.
The 2-0 win over the Irish secured third place for DPR Korea in their first appearance at the invitational tournament, with a 1-0 loss to eventual champions Switzerland their only blemish in four matches.
DPR Korea’s Asian Cup qualifying campaign begins against India on April 3, before all eyes turn to their must-win match against neighbours Korea Republic on April 7; exactly one year before the tournament finals begin in Jordan.
Algarve Cup
Third place match:
Denmark 1–1 Australia (aet. 4-1 pens)
Scorers: Harder (80’) | K. Simon (36’)
For the second successive international competition, Australia’s tournament ended with a penalty shootout defeat, as Denmark claimed third place at the Albufeira Municipal Stadium.
Following the Matildas’ spot-kick elimination against Brazil at the Rio Olympics, two excellent shootout saves by Danish goalkeeper Stina Lykke Petersen decided a match that Australia had looked like winning, until striker Pernille Harder’s equaliser with ten minutes remaining.
Earlier, the Matildas took the lead through a poacher’s finish from Kyah Simon after 36 minutes.
Punishing some sloppy Danish passing, Katrina Gorry’s enterprising run took her to within metres of the goal, before she squared the ball for Simon, who volleyed home her 22nd international goal from close range.
But Simon’s strike would be cancelled out by an exquisite individual goal from Harder.
Capitalising on a swift counter-attack, the 24-year-old controlled a lofted pass with the outside of her left foot, while suspended in mid-air, before thumping the ball into the top corner from just inside the penalty area.
Ultimately, the match was decided by the excellent Petersen, whose consecutive penalty saves denied Polkinghorne and Kerr, and a secured top three finish for Denmark, who were faultless from the penalty spot.
Fifth place match:
Netherlands 3–2 Japan
Scorers: Dekker (13’), Martens (19’), Utsugi (o.g.) (90+2’) | Yokoyama (20’), van den Bulk (o.g.) (77’)
A last-minute own goal decided a pulsating fifth-place match, after Japan had fought back from two goals behind against the Netherlands at the Estadio Algarve.
Early goals to Anouk Dekker and Lieke Martens gave the Netherlands a two-goal advantage within 20 minutes, but Japan hit back less than a minute later through shining light Kumi Yokoyama.
Yokoyama – who has starred throughout the tournament – made something from nothing when she powered a sweetly-struck effort beyond Dutch goalkeeper Loes Guerts from 25 metres.
The 23-year-old’s goal was her fourth in a tournament which has established her as a pivotal member of the new-look Nadeshiko.
Japan were level 13 minutes from time when an attempted clearance from Sheila van den Bulk flew into her own net, but another own goal – this time attributed to Japanese midfield Rumi Utsugi – decided the match after a surging run from striker Vivianne Miedema.
The sixth place finish from Japan is an improvement on their appearance at the Algarve Cup, when they finished ninth in 2015.
Ninth-place match:
Iceland 2–1 China PR
Scorers: Sigurðardóttir (9’, 47’) | Wang Shanshan (36’)
China PR’s disappointing tournament ended without a win, as a brace from Málfríður Erna Sigurðardóttir secured ninth place for Iceland.
Sigurðardóttir’s goals – from nearly identical corner kick routines – came either side Wang Shanshan’s equaliser, which came courtesy of Wang Shuang’s assist after she had intercepted a weak Icelandic back-pass.
Ultimately, China PR’s inability to deal with Iceland’s dangerous set-piece delivery cost them the game, as midfielder Sigurðardóttir twice popped up to capitalise on poor defending with two far-post tap-ins.
China PR can now plan for the 2018 AFC Women’s Asian Cup which, like Australia and Japan, they have already qualified for.
Photos: AFP