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Japan’s Moriyasu pleased with “difficult” win

Fri, 22 Mar, 2024

Japan’s Moriyasu pleased with “difficult” win

Tokyo: Head coach Hajime Moriyasu defended Japan's performance, saying his players showed "persistence till the very end despite difficult circumstances" in their 1-0 win over DPR Korea in Group B of the Preliminary Joint Qualification - Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ on Thursday.

Ao Tanaka’s second minute goal meant Japan made it three wins out of three to move five points clear at the top, with Myanmar and Syria playing to a 1-1 draw in the other tie.
 
Japan are well on course for a place in the third round of the FIFA World Cup qualifiers which will also seal AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 qualification and that was all that Moriyasu was concerned about. 

Group B: Japan 1-0 DPR Korea

Thu, 21 Mar, 2024

Group B: Japan 1-0 DPR Korea

Tokyo: Ao Tanaka’s second minute goal kept Hajime Moriyasu’s side perfect in Group B of the Preliminary Joint Qualification – Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ on Thursday as Japan picked up a 1-0 win over DPR Korea in Tokyo.

Tanaka, a surprise exclusion from the squad that travelled to the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™, slotted in after 81 seconds at National Stadium to secure a win that moves the Samurai Blue onto nine points from their first three games in the current phase of the preliminaries.

The nations are due to meet again in Pyongyang’s Kim Il Sung Stadium on Tuesday with DPR Korea still on three points at the halfway stage having defeated Myanmar earlier in the campaign.

Asian hopefuls learn path to Paris 2024 glory

Thu, 21 Mar, 2024

Asian hopefuls learn path to Paris 2024 glory

Paris: Japan were drawn in Group C of the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament Paris 2024 while Australia will open their campaign in Group B following the official draw in Paris on Wednesday.

The continent's representatives in the Men’s Tournament will be decided at the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™, with three automatic slots and a possible fourth from a playoff available. 

Preview - Group B: Japan v DPR Korea; Myanmar v Syria

Wed, 20 Mar, 2024

Preview - Group B: Japan v DPR Korea; Myanmar v Syria

Tokyo: Japan will be aiming to stay ahead of their challengers by defeating DPR Korea in Group B of the Preliminary Joint Qualification - Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ on Thursday.

Hajime Moriyasu's side found themselves three points ahead of DPR Korea and Syria after the first two rounds of matches.
 
They host DPR Korea in the first of their double header against their East Asian rivals knowing that a win will leave them well placed to advance to the third round, with Japan seeking an eighth consecutive appearance at the FIFA World Cup Finals.

East Asia Wrap: Newcomers Machida rise to top; Sangmu edge Jeonbuk

Mon, 18 Mar, 2024

East Asia Wrap: Newcomers Machida rise to top; Sangmu edge Jeonbuk

Hong Kong: Machida Zelvia, who got promoted to the J1 League as the 2023 Japanese second division champions, climbed to the top of the table four games into the campaign when they defeated Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo 2-1 at Sapporo Dome on Saturday. 

After scoring twice in a defeat to Ulsan Hyundai last week, Kim Hyeon-ug was again on target for Gimcheon Sangmu on Sunday as they defeated Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors 1-0 while reigning champions Ulsan have a one-point lead at the top despite a 3-3 draw with Incheon United. 
 
Kitchee SC moved two points behind leaders Lee Man with a 3-0 win against Sham Shui Po in the Hong Kong Premier League on Sunday while matches also took place in Mongolia, Macau and Guam, so join the-AFC.com as we bring you up to speed with the action from across East Asia.

Japan’s Kano sees silver lining despite final heartbreak

Sun, 17 Mar, 2024

Japan’s Kano sees silver lining despite final heartbreak

Tashkent: Head coach Michihisa Kano cut a disappointed figure following Japan’s 2-1 defeat to DPR Korea in the AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2024 final at the JAR Stadium on Saturday.

Despite taking the lead through Ai Tsujisawa, Japan had no answer to DPR Korea’s aggression, with Jon Ryong jong’s brace of headers consigning Kano’s side to defeat.

Japan's Maya Hijikata wins Yili Top Scorer Award

Sat, 16 Mar, 2024

Japan's Maya Hijikata wins Yili Top Scorer Award

Tashkent: Japan’s Maya Hijikata was named the AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2024 Yili Top Scorer Award on Saturday.

The forward, whose assist led to Japan’s opener in the final, edged out Korea Republic’s Jeon Yu-gyeong on assists with both having netted four goals.

DPR Korea fight back to lift title

Sun, 17 Mar, 2024

DPR Korea fight back to lift title

Tashkent: Jon Ryong jong scored twice as DPR Korea came from behind to defeat Japan 2-1 in the AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2024 final at the JAR Stadium on Saturday.

Victory for DPR Korea ended their long wait for the title, having last won the AFC U-19 Women’s Championship in 2007 and having finished runners-up in the last five editions.
 
It was heartbreak for Japan, who entered the final aiming to add to their record six AFC U-19 Women’s Championship titles.

www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_u20_womens_asian_cup/photo/images_-_final_japan_v_dpr_korea.html

Japan remain Asia's best; Iraq make entry

Fri, 15 Mar, 2024

Japan remain Asia's best; Iraq make entry

Kuala Lumpur: Japan moved up one spot to seventh in the latest FIFA Women's World Ranking released on Thursday.

Iraq, meanwhile, made their entry on the ranking list at 172nd spot.

Preview - Final: Japan v DPR Korea

Sat, 16 Mar, 2024

Preview - Final: Japan v DPR Korea

Tashkent: DPR Korea are confident of upstaging Japan when the two sides clash in the AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2024 final at the JAR Stadium on Saturday.

The two sides met six times in the AFC U19 Women’s Championship final with DPR Korea winning only once - in 2007 for their sole title. 

Know the Coach: Kano Michihisa (Japan)

Thu, 14 Mar, 2024

Know the Coach: Kano Michihisa (Japan)

Tashkent: Kano Michihisa is one match away from further consolidating himself in his country's footballing history, having been in charge when Japan emerged champions of the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou. 

Kano’s Japan will take on DPR Korea in the AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2024 final on Saturday, aiming to add to the six AFC U-19 Women’s Championship titles already in their trophy cabinet.