Tue, 30 Nov, -0001
Hong Kong: Japan finished their AFC U-14 Championship 2014 qualifying campaign hoping for the best after beating hosts Hong Kong 2-0 in their Group H match at Mongkok Stadium on Tuesday.
Striker Teshima Hide scored the first goal for the Japanese five minutes from the break before Japan again bulged Macau’s net through substitute Suzuki Toichi on 52 minutes.
The afternoon match was the fourth and last one for the Japanese who won three outings and are now sitting on second spot on the table below leaders DPR Korea.
The Ikeuchi Yutaka-led Japanese are now left with nothing else but a wish that DPR Korea lose and score not more than four goals in their last match against Macau on Wednesday so that they advance to the eight-team finals on goal difference.
The formidable DPR Korea meanwhile clinched their third straight win from as many matches after whipping Mongolia 8-0 in a later match.
Pau Marti Vicente’s Hong Kong side, who are sitting on third spot and already out of reckoning for the finals, will face Mongolia in the final round of qualifying matches on Wednesday.
Standings:
DPR Korea – 9 points
Japan – 9 points
Hong Kong – 3 points
Mongolia – 3 points
Macau – 0 point
Photo: HKFA