Japan sets up North Korea showdown in Asian Games women’s football

Japan’s players celebrate their victory against China after the the women’s semi-final football match between China and Japan during the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou in China’s eastern Zhejiang province on October 3, 2023. (Photo by Jung Yeon-je / AFP)

Reigning champion Japan held off a spirited fightback from host China on Tuesday to set up an Asian Games women’s football final against North Korea.

Japan silenced the partisan crowd in Hangzhou to lead 4-1 at the break and put one foot in the final, as the China players trudged off the pitch into the dressing rooms.

But a China team made up of players from the recent World Cup refused to go quietly and they pulled it back to 4-3 with half an hour left, setting up a grandstand finale.

But Japan kept their concentration and nerve to hold out for victory and teed up a showdown with North Korea on Friday for gold.

“At the start of the second half we knew they would attack us and we let them do that to an extent,” said Japan coach Michihisa Kano, whose side has hit an incredible 35 goals in five matches at the Games.

He said his substitutes had helped make the game safe.

“It was difficult at times, but the players who came on worked hard, did their job and helped us get the win. I want to thank my players,” he added.

North Korea thrashed Uzbekistan 8-0 in the other semi-final to set up a repeat of the 2014 final, with striker Kim Kyong Yong scoring four goals.