AFC Women’s Asian Cup: Two-time defending champions Japan secured top spot in Group C of the Women’s Asian Cup India 2022 on Thursday despite being held to a 1-1 draw by Korea Republic at Pune’s Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex. Follow Insidesport.IN For more updates
Seo Ji-yeon’s equaliser following a goal-mouth scramble five minutes from time earned Colin Bell’s side a point in a game dominated by the Japanese after Riko Ueki’s first minute opener put the champions in front. Futoshi Ikeda’s side could not have asked for a better start as Ueki’s speed of thought and movement unlocked the Korean defence with barely seconds on the clock.
AFC Women’s Asian Cup: Japan finish top in Group C after stalemate with Korea Republic
The striker spun past her marker after receiving the ball from Shiori Miyake and found herself one-on-one with goalkeeper Kim Jung-mi, who offered little resistance as Ueki stroked the ball home.
It was a blistering start from the champions, who should have taken a greater lead into the interval.
Yui Hasegawa’s footwork earned her the time and space to go for a goal 14 minutes into the game but her effort was too weak to trouble Kim Jung-mi. The goalkeeper denied the midfielder 13 minutes later when she used her feet to keep out a close range attempt.
Hasegawa caused the Korean defence more trouble after the half hour mark when her ball from the right was spilled by Kim Jung-mi at the feet of Ueki. However, rather than double her side’s lead, the Tokyo Very Beleza forward saw her effort come back off a defender.
AFC Women’s Asian Cup: Japan finish top in Group C after stalemate with Korea Republic
Korean sorties into the final third of the field were few and far between in an opening half dominated by the holders.
Choo Hyo-joo had a sight of goal from distance in the fifth minute, but it did little to trouble Japanese goalkeeper Ayaka Yamashita and Cho So-hyun sent an injury time header over the bar.
Moeka Minami went close to adding a second for the Japanese on the hour mark when she fired over the bar after the Korean defence had failed to clear a corner and, ultimately, Ikeda’s side were to regret not adding to their tally.
With five minutes remaining, substitute Seo claimed the final touch – and her first international goal – after a melee on the line caused by a failure from the Japanese defence to deal with Ji So-yun’s corner and ensure a nervous end to the game for Japan.
AFC Women’s Asian Cup: Japan finish top in Group C after stalemate with Korea Republic
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