Tue, 30 Nov, -0001
Osaka: Japan and Korea Republic remain winless in the AFC Women’s Olympic Football Tournament Rio 2016 qualifiers after the pair shared a dramatic 1-1 draw at Kincho Stadium on Wednesday.
Ji So-yun missed a penalty for Korea Republic in the 70th minute before Mana Iwabuchi came off the bench to head home what she thought was a late winner for Japan in the 84th minute.
But Jung Sul-bin was on hand to capitalise on an error from Japan goalkeeper Miho Fukumoto three minutes later to snatch a point for Korea Republic.
“I told the girls that if they believe and play their own football then the result will come. Unfortunately we couldn’t get the three points. But it’s not the players who need to regret that, it’s me,” said Japan coach Norio Sasaki.
“The fact we couldn’t score wasn’t only with regards to the final play, but at the moment we are also not accurate enough with the pass before that.
“We wanted to win today and also wanted to have energy for the next games so that’s why I changed players.”
The result leaves both sides winless in the tournament so far after Japan lost their opener 3-1 to Australia and Korea Republic also drew their first match 1-1 with DPR Korea.
After Monday’s defeat, Japan coach Sasaki looked to freshen things up for his side after making six changes, and the hosts started brightly with one of the newcomers, Kumi Yokoyama, especially lively in the opening quarter of an hour.
The AC Nagano Parceiro Ladies striker was making just her second start for the national team but sprung instantly into action, snapping into a tackle with Jang Sel-gi and then firing a shot narrowly wide in just the first minute.
Yokoyama then went even closer three minutes later, cannoning an effort against the crossbar from outside the area before Yuki Ogimi failed to head home on the rebound.
An unchanged Korea Republic briefly mustered a response with Ji making space inside the area and testing Japan goalkeeper Fukumoto, but Yokoyama soon had Japan on the front foot again.
First she drew another save from Korea Republic goalkeeper Kim Jung-mi after holding off Cho So-hyun in the 13th minute, and then she demonstrated some outstanding footwork to get to the by-line before crossing for Yuri Kawamura, who could not quite connect with her header.
The second half was a more cagey affair until Ji missed her penalty, seeing it well stopped by Fukumoto who guessed right diving to her left.
That save injected new life into Japan and Iwabuchi was in the right place at the right time to nudge home after Kim Jung-mi had misjudged a Nahomi Kawasumi cross from the right.
But Japan’s celebrations were quickly brought to an end as goalkeeper Fukumoto spilled a routine cross into the path of Jung who made no mistake from close range.
“We had a really tough time in the second half. We missed the penalty and then conceded. It was tough for the players, but seeing as they were mentally well prepared that’s why they could run to the final whistle,” said Korea Republic coach Yoon Duk-yeo.
“The physical capability is the result of our training sessions – I think the team is well prepared. I had confidence that our team was prepared better physically than our opponent. This mental and physical strength shows the potential of Korean football.”
Photo: Lagardère Sports