Preview: Japan targeting history with second title

Sat, 27 Aug, 2022

Preview: Japan targeting history with second title

San Jose: Japan will be chasing a record-breaking second consecutive FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup title when they face Spain in the 2022 final at the National Stadium of Costa Rica on Sunday.

The defending champions are unbeaten in a campaign which saw them score 11 goals en route to reaching the final, while Spain also boast a similar record and will meet Japan in what will be a repeat of the last FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup decider.

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Japan beat Brazil to set up Spain decider

Fri, 26 Aug, 2022

Japan beat Brazil to set up Spain decider

San Jose: Maika Hamano’s late strike gave defending champions Japan a hard fought 2-1 win over Brazil in the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup Costa Rica 2022 semi-finals at the National Stadium of Costa Rica on Thursday.

Brazil’s Miriam Cavalcante equalised in the second half to cancel out Yuzuki Yamamoto’s 30th minute opener but Japan turned on the style late in the game with Hamano’s effort.

The young Nadeshiko will face Spain, who defeated the Netherlands 2-1, in the final on Sunday.

I knew we would win, says Urawa's Rodriguez

Fri, 26 Aug, 2022

I knew we would win, says Urawa's Rodriguez

Saitama: Urawa Red Diamonds head coach Ricardo Rodriguez was confident his side would prevail in their penalty shootout against Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors as the Japanese outfit secured their spot in February’s AFC Champions League™ 2022 final at the end of a dramatic semi-final at Saitama Stadium 2002 on Thursday.

Goalkeeper Shusaku Nishikawa saved penalties from Kim Bo-kyung and Lee Seung-gi to set up a 3-1 shoot-out win for the two-time winners after a breathless conclusion to extra-time saw the game end in a 2-2 draw.
 
Yusuke Matsuo put Urawa in front before Paik Seung-ho’s penalty levelled the scores while Kasper Junker hit the post in the dying moments of regulation time. Han Kyo-won then thought he had won the tie for Jeonbuk before Junker’s last-gasp equaliser took the game to penalties.

Kim: Fatigue, jitters caused Jeonbuk's defeat

Fri, 26 Aug, 2022

Kim: Fatigue, jitters caused Jeonbuk's defeat

Saitama: Fatigue especially, and jitters were the reasons Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors' AFC Champions League™ 2022 dream ended on Thursday.

Kim Sang-sik's side gave the semi-final tie against Japan's Urawa Red Diamonds their all but a third consecutive match that went to extra-time took its toll on the Korea Republic champions, with their head coach admitting that fatigue and nervousness led to them crashing out. 

IR Iran remain top in latest FIFA Men's World Ranking

Thu, 25 Aug, 2022

IR Iran remain top in latest FIFA Men's World Ranking

Kuala Lumpur: Islamic Republic of Iran gained one spot to 22nd to remain Asia's top side in the latest FIFA Men's World Ranking released on Thursday.

The top 10 Asian teams stayed unchanged with  Qatar the other Asian team improving their ranking, moving up one notch to 48th.