NEWS

The Nadeshiko Japan women’s team edged Korea Republic 2-1 at Ajinomoto Stadium in Tokyo on Saturday to retain their East Asian Women’s Championship title.

Japan’s goals were scored by top guns Shinobu Ohno and Mami Yamaguchi.
Japan completed the biannual four-nation tournament with three straight wins for a maximum nine points. China were second on six points (2-0-1 win-draw-loss) after beating Chinese Taipei 3-0 earlier in the day.
Korea Republic came in third with three points (1-0-2) and Chinese Taipei with no points after three losses.
Nadeshiko midfielder Homare Sawa, who celebrated her 150th appearance for her country against Korea Republic, was named the MVP of the tournament, the same honor she earned in 2008.
Young forward Mana Iwabuchi shared the top goal-scorer prize with two goals, along with Han Duan of China, and Yoo Young A and Lee Jang Mi of Korea Republic.
The Nadeshiko looked sharp in their movement and showed fine combination work from the outset.
They went ahead seven minutes into the game after Ohno latched on to a fine delivery from Aya Miyama on the left side and dribbled up the pitch. The Nippon TV Beleza forward shook off two defenders and chipped the ball past advancing goalkeeper Kim Jung Mi.
Japan went on the attack and widened their lead 10 minutes later, when Yamaguchi took an Ohno pass, beat two defenders and guided the ball home.
Korea came into the game from halfway through the first half and had a good chance shortly before the break when Kim Soo Yun hit a shot from outside the box, but Japan goalkeeper Nozomi Yamago did well to make the save.
The Japanese women came close through Sawa, but the Koreans were fighting hard and Lee Jang Mi had a good chance in the 71st minute.
Four minutes later, the Koreans pulled a goal back when Yoo Young A connected with a pass from Cho So Hyun to reduce the deficit to 2-1.
As the Nadeshiko struggled to cope with the situation, the Koreans continued to attack and came close with attempts from Ji So Yun, Lee Kye Lim and Kim Yoo Mi, but the Japanese just managed to hold on.
“Our players were under pressure after giving away goals so early in the game,” said Korea coach Lee Sang Yup. “But they were able to relax and play better in the second half after I told them to trust their abilities at halftime.”
“It was a meaningful match for us. We didn’t have much time to prepare, but we played well and have learned many things by playing in this tournament.”
Nadeshiko Japan coach Norio Sasaki said: “We attacked hard and scored two goals early in the game. But we then faced an aggressive response from the Korean side, and couldn’t really change the situation around.”
“But we have learned what we need to fix in our game while still finishing the tournament with a good result. This will help us prepare for our next target.”

Teams:
Japan—Nozomi Yamago, Yukari Kinga, Azusa Iwashimizu, Kyoko Yano (Mana Iwabuchi, 67th), Aya Sameshima, Saki Kumagai, Rumi Utsugi, Aya Miyama, Homare Sawa, Mami Yamaguchi (Megumi Takase, 86th), Shinobu Ohno (Manami Nakano, 94th+). Coach, Norio Sasaki
Subs not used—Miho Fukumoto, Ayumi Kaihori, Akiko Sudo, Kana Osafune, Nanase Kiryu, Yuika Sugasawa.

Korea Republic—Kim Jung Mi, Yu Ji En, Kim Yoo Mi, Lee Kye Lim, Kim Do Yeon, Lee Jang Mi, Cho So Hyun, Kim Soo Yun, Yoo Young A, Ji So Yun, Jung Hae In (Jeon Ga Eul, 54th). Coach, Lee Sang Yup
Subs not used—Moon So Ri, Lee Jin Hwa, Hong Kyung Suk, Shim Seo Yeon, Lim Seon Joo, Kim Joo Hee, Kwon Eun Som, Park Hee Young.

Goals—Shinobu Ohno (Japan, 7th), Mami Yamaguchi (Japan, 17th), Yoo Young A (Korea Republic, 75th)
Cautions—Kim Yoo Mi (Korea Republic, 93rd+)
Expulsions—none
Attendance—3,132
Referee—D’COTH Bentla (India)