Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Osaka: Hosts Japan may remain winless after two rounds at the AFC Women’s Olympic Football Tournament Rio 2016 qualifiers, but coach Norio Sasaki is not panicking and has faith in the London 2012 silver medalists ahead of Friday’smeeting with China.
The reigning AFC Women’s Asian Cup champions drew 1-1 with Korea Republic on Wednesday, leaving Sasaki‘s side five points adrift of early leaders Australia having lost 3-1 to the Matildas earlier in the week.
And Sasaki‘s side next face China on Friday eyeing a first win of the campaign as Japan look to remain in contention for qualification for Brazil later this year, with only two places available.
“There is still a possibility left that we can go to Rio,” Sasaki said. “From the moment the Korea Republic match finished we started working on being better prepared for the match against China, that’s all we have to do.
“Rather than trying to score as many goals as possible we just have to strive to win the matches in front of us, that’s the mission we have.”
China currently sit second on four points after Wang Shuang’s 93rd minute equaliser earned a 1-1 draw with DPR Korea on Wednesday.
“The tournament is not finished,” coach Bruno Bini. “It will be hard because the game against Japan will be the third in six days. We have to plan for this and I might have some surprises.”
Australia, meanwhile, beat Vietnam 9-0 on Wednesday thanks to a first half hat-trick from Kyah Simon to lead the way after two rounds ahead of Friday’smeeting with Korea Republic.
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