Japan beats North Korea for Asian Games women’s football gold

Japan’s Haruka Osawa (2R) celebrates after scoring a goal during the women’s football gold medal match between Japan and North Korea at the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou in China’s eastern Zhejiang province on October 6, 2023. (Photo by Jung Yeon-je / AFP)

Japan was booed but kept its cool in an “interesting” atmosphere to beat North Korea 4-1 and retain its Asian Games women’s football crown on Friday.

The crowd of over 35,000 in the Chinese city of Hangzhou was overwhelmingly in North Korea’s favor and booed the Japanese players when they went on the attack.

After going in 1-1 at the break, Japan scored three goals in the space of six second-half minutes to silence the stadium.

Japan coach Michihisa Kano said his players “felt the tension” but were calm enough to deal with it.

“The atmosphere was quite interesting, but all our players played with confidence,” said Kano, whose team went into the final averaging seven goals a game in Hangzhou.

“We had some difficulties in the game but everyone came together to overcome the challenges.”

Kano said his players knew what to expect after beating China 4-3 in the semi-finals.

“That really made us feel like we were the away team,” he said.

“We were mentally prepared for this game and we kept our cool and won the match.”

Japan took an early lead through Yoshino Nakashima, only for Kim Kyong Yong to level for North Korea less than 10 minutes later.

The two teams remained deadlocked until Haruka Osawa, Momoko Tanikawa and Remina Chiba hit a three-goal salvo to put the result beyond doubt.

YOUTH PROGRAM

October 6, 2023 Japan’s players celebrate after winning the match in the Asian Games women’s football. REUTERS/Eloisa Lopez

It gave Japan its third gold in the last four Asian Games and Kano said the country’s youth system was behind their success.

“We have been very systematic in training young players,” he said.

“Our system is based on regions but we have the same training program regardless of gender.

“We have a very comprehensive young player training system, and we go for the same targets.”

North Korea has won Asian Games gold three times previously but it was appearing at their first international tournament since the coronavirus pandemic.

Coach Ri Yu Il said his team had “presented a good image” with their performances at the Games.

“We created some scoring opportunities and we played very well, but when it comes to defence and positioning there were some problems,” he said.

“We lost, but in general we played well and the advantages outweigh the disadvantages.”

North Korea lost An Myong Song when she was stretchered off with an injury midway through the first half.

Ri said he was confident his team can continue to hold its own in international competition.

“The development of women’s football in Asia is very close to the international level,” he said.

“We are part of the development process. I would say the trend is very positive.”

Hosts China took the bronze medal after thrashing Uzbekistan 7-0.