Japan beat South Korea to advance to Women’s Asian Cup final

SYDNEY – Two-time champions Japan made it to their third Women’s Asian Cup football final in four editions, after they defeated South Korea 4-1 in the semi-finals in Sydney on March 18.

They will take on hosts Australia in the final on March 21, after the Matildas defeated nine-time winners China 2-1 a day earlier in Perth.

“I was very proud of them today,” Japan coach Nils Nielsen said on Channel 10.

“They actually made this game look fairly easy and comfortable but it wasn’t, because South Korea is a great opponent. It’s exactly the same when it comes to Australia... that’s exactly why I am here, to play Australia.

“The Matildas really have an amazing team, they have adapted to whatever is coming their way. When they play in front of a crowd like this, Australia are big favourites for the final.

“We have played reasonably well, but we can be better.”

It did not take long for Japan to open the scoring against the Koreans, who could blame only themselves for taking too long to clear their lines in the 15th minute.

Fuka Nagano stole the ball from Kim Shin-ji at the edge of the area, before squaring it to Riko Ueki, who smashed it past goalkeeper Kim Min-jeong.

The second goal 10 minutes later was more impressive, as Maika Hamano showed a bit of trickery to dart her way past two opponents and blast a shot into the roof of the net.

Japan nearly made it three just before half-time but Aoba Fujino’s goal was ruled out by the video assistant referee for a handball in the build-up.

The third goal came in the 75th minute, as Saki Kumagai headed into the net from a corner. South Korea swiftly pulled one back three minutes later via Kang Chae-rim.

Keeping up their intensity, Japan then put the game to bed with a fourth goal in the 81st minute from Remina Chiba as they cruised to the title showdown.

In related news, the Iranian women’s team crossed the Turkish border into Iran on March 18 to complete a fraught return journey from Australia, after five members withdrew asylum claims they had lodged there.

The team, who flew into Istanbul on March 17, took a flight to Igdir in eastern Turkey on March 18 morning.

The players emerged from Igdir Airport pulling their luggage and chatted in front of the terminal before boarding a bus to the border. One of them briefly smiled and waved at a TV camera before the bus departed.

After a trip of around two hours to the frontier, they went through passport control at the Gurbulak border gate before crossing over into Iran.

While the quintet withdrew asylum claims to return home, two players are still in Australia and have been pictured training with a local A-League club. AFP, REUTERS