Nadeshiko Japan (Japan Women’s National team) took on Korea Republic on 2 March at Kincho Stadium in Osaka in their second match at the Asian Qualifiers Final Round. Despite substitute forward IWABUCHI Mana's late goal, Japan conceded a goal just before the match ended in a 1-1 draw.

In the tournament where six teams compete for two Olympic spots, Japan gained one point, but their standing in fifth place has not changed with one loss and one draw. Australia kept the top spot, adding points to six with a 9-0 win over Vietnam. China drew with DPR Korea 1-1 and stand in second place with four points, followed by DPR Korea and Korea Republic with two points each after two draws. Vietnam settle for sixth place after two losses. Japan got into a tough situation where all they can do is to win all the remaining three matches and wait for results of other teams.

Nadeshiko Japan made six changes to the starting lineup after losing to Australia three days ago as they put FUKUMOTO Miho as the goalkeeper, KINGA Yukari and TANAKA Asuna in the defensive line and KAWAMURA Yuri and KAMIONOBE Megumi as a defensive midfielder and YOKOYAMA Kumi at left midfield. Japan started with an offensive formation with MIYAMA Aya slotted behind the striker. 

Just as they expected, Yokoyama hit the cross bar with her shot just after four minutes and the Japanese side threatened the opponents with a string of shots by OGIMI Yuki in the 7th, Yokoyama in the 13th and Kawamura in the 15th minute. Japan stayed with an attacking mode using space by aggressively moving around with Yokoyama challenging on the left flank.

But Korea Republic maintained the starting lineup of their first match, where they drew with DPR Korea, and created a defensive block not to let Japan break through.

In the 39th minute, Japan's Kamionobe fired a shot off Kinga's cut-back from the right flank. Just after her effort, Kawamura failed to get her header on target before the first half finished 0-0.

Japan kept attacking in the second half as substitute Iwabuchi cut into the box and unleashed a shot in the 65th minute, but her shot went wide off the right post.

In the 69th minute, Korea's subbed-in midfielder JEON Ga Eul took action on the right flank and fed a cross ball. Her effort drew a handball by Kinga, who was marking an opposing player. Goalkeeper Fukumoto, however, made a superb save against midfielder JI So Yun's spot kick. Four minutes later, Jeon came right at Japan’s goal, but left fullback ARIYOSHI Saori threw her body to block Jeon's effort.

Midfielder NAKAJIMA Emi was subbed in for Yokoyama in the 77th minute, and Miyama struck a shot from the edge of the box in the 83rd minute.

Japan's long-awaited goal came in the 84th minute. Midfielder KAWASUMI Nahomi's right cross flew over the goalkeeper, who came out to clear it, and went toward Iwabuchi. As she said after the match, "I was determined to get a goal," she met the cross with her header for the opening goal.

But Japan's lead was fleeting. Three minutes later, goalkeeper Fukumoto failed to catch Jeon's cross, and forward JUNG Sul Bin picked up the loose ball to send home for an equaliser.

Japan kept attacking to put themselves ahead with Kawamura's header in the 88th minute and Iwabuchi's effort through the set up by Kawasumi and Miyama in the added-time, yet the Japan were not able to score by the end of the match and missed their first win of the tournament.

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Japan face China on 4 March. And then, they play against Vietnam on 7 and DPR Korea on 9.

Coach and Players' Comments

SASAKI Norio, Coach
In the Australia match, we were intimidated in many situations. Today we believed the outcome should follow if we kept playing our style of football. Our way of playing wasn't so bad, but we weren't able to pull out a win. Talking about the goal we gave up, I had an option to play five defenders and if I actually had done that and made it stable, there wouldn't have been that kind of accident. That's what I should reflect on. We've got only one point, but the team are growing. We will take advantage of it and refresh our mind to be ready for the next China match.

MF #8  MIYAMA Aya (OKAYAMA YUNOGO BELLE)
We were determined only to win, so the result is disappointing. (About the moment when Japan conceded a goal) We would have sat back considering the remaining time, but it's just an afterthought. As a whole, we brought out our best as Japanese players. But we still have some gap when speeding up on offence. We will work on it. And there is still a chance. We won't think about anything unnecessary and will think about winning the remaining three matches as a team.

FW #16  IWABUCHI Mana (FC Bayern Munich/Germany)
The result is disappointing. (Speaking of the goal she scored) Ogimi scarified herself in front of me and I thought the ball was going over me. I'm glad to score even in that kind of way. In this tough situation, we've got to play out as one for our goal. Not wasting this winning point, we will grab points in the remaining three matches.

FW #10  OGIMI Yuki (1. FFC Frankfurt/Germany)
The distances between players were close and we were conscious about sending the ball to upfront. That's a positive thing. But we didn't know when to boost ourselves up on offence and weren't able to control the pace. At least we got a minimal point and don't need to take it negative. The other match (China PR vs DPR Korea) ended in a draw. That's really an advantage for us. If we win all the remaining three matches, there is still a possibility. The only thing we can do is each player refreshes her mind and aims only at winning matches before going out.

YOON Duk Yeo, Coach (Korea Republic Women's National Team)
Both team played well. In the first half, it was tough for us, and we had a chance in the second half. But we failed to score and conceded a goal. Around that stretches, we were in a tough situation. But I'm happy and satisfied with the effort my players made to score an equaliser by keeping running with never-give-up attitude. The next Australian match is important.

Nadeshiko Channel (Japanese version only)

Schedule

*The schedule and venues are subject to change.

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