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Japan Women Beat North Korea on Penalties for Third Straight Asian Games Title

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In brief

Japan's women's national football team won gold at the Asian Games on October 2, beating North Korea 5-3 in a penalty shootout after a 2-2 draw in regulation and extra time. It is Japan's fourth Asian Games women's football title overall and its third in a row, both tournament records, according to Japanese media reports.

A 2-2 Draw Settled by Penalties

Japan's women's national team, known as Nadeshiko Japan, won the Asian Games women's football final 5-3 on penalties after the match finished 2-2 following extra time, Jiji Press and Yahoo News Japan reported. The match was played on October 2 at Ecopa Stadium, part of the Ogasayama General Sports Park in Shizuoka Prefecture, according to Jiji Press and the Manila Times. The Manila Times, citing AFP, put attendance at more than 6,000.

Mami Ueno gave Japan the lead in the 32nd minute, Jiji Press reported, publishing a photo caption describing her as celebrating the opening goal. North Korea's Jong Kum equalised in the 47th minute after a VAR check, and Jon Ryong Jong put North Korea ahead in the 69th minute, according to the Manila Times. Hanon Nishio levelled the score for Japan in the 86th minute, a goal Yahoo News Japan described as a 'kesshidan,' or a goal scored through sheer determination.

In the shootout, Yuzuho Shiokoshi converted the decisive penalty for Japan, the Manila Times reported. Japan goalkeeper Shu Ohba saved a penalty from Jong, the only miss of the shootout, according to the same report, sealing a 5-3 win on penalties.

A Record Fourth Title, Third in a Row

The win is Japan's fourth Asian Games women's football gold medal, the most of any country, and its third consecutive title, the Manila Times reported. Yahoo News Japan similarly described the result as a 'three-peat' (大会3連覇) and the team's record fourth championship (史上最多4度目V).

North Korea had been seeking its first Asian Games women's football gold since 2014, according to the Manila Times. The outlet reported that each of the two finalists had won three of the previous six editions of the tournament before this final.

Road to the Final

  1. Japan beat South Korea 2-0 in the semifinal on September 29 in Fukuroi, with both goals scored by Chiina Kamiya — a headed opener in the 54th minute off a Mami Ueno cross, followed by a left-footed finish nine minutes later, according to the Korea Times and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).
  2. North Korea beat China PR 2-0 in the other semifinal on the same day, according to the AFC.
  3. Japan reached the final without conceding a goal in the rounds leading up to it, the Manila Times reported, while both finalists had scored 26 goals apiece earlier in the tournament.

The Korea Times noted that South Korea's semifinal defeat extended its winless run against Japan in women's football, a streak dating back to a loss last recorded in August 2015; South Korea went on to play China for the bronze medal.

New Head Coach's First Title

The title is the first for Japan head coach Michihisa Kano, who took over the team after Nils Nielsen, the Manila Times reported. The outlet also noted that North Korea substituted goalkeeper Chae Un Gyong in the final minute of extra time before the shootout.

Path to the Asian Games Women's Football Final
TeamSemifinal ResultPrevious Titles Context
JapanBeat South Korea 2-0 (Sept 29, Fukuroi)Won 3 of the previous 6 editions; entered seeking a third straight title
North KoreaBeat China PR 2-0 (Sept 29)Won 3 of the previous 6 editions; last gold came in 2014

Questions

How did Japan win the Asian Games women's football final?
Japan drew 2-2 with North Korea after extra time and won the subsequent penalty shootout 5-3, with Yuzuho Shiokoshi scoring the decisive spot kick and goalkeeper Shu Ohba saving North Korea's attempt, according to the Manila Times.
What record did Japan set with this win?
It is Japan's fourth Asian Games women's football gold medal overall, the most of any country, and its third consecutive title, per Japanese and regional media reports.
Who scored Japan's goals in the final?
Mami Ueno opened the scoring in the 32nd minute and Hanon Nishio equalised in the 86th minute to send the match to extra time, according to Jiji Press and the Manila Times.
How did Japan and North Korea reach the final?
Japan beat South Korea 2-0 in the semifinal with two goals from Chiina Kamiya, while North Korea beat China PR 2-0, according to the Korea Times and the AFC.
Who is Japan's head coach?
Michihisa Kano, who succeeded Nils Nielsen, won his first title in charge of the team with this result, the Manila Times reported.

How the world is telling it

Sources

  1. Yahoo News Japan — なでしこジャパン、北朝鮮に執念弾で追いつきPK戦制す 大会3連覇、史上最多4度目V
  2. Jiji Press — サッカー女子決勝、北朝鮮戦の前半先制ゴール（写真）
  3. Manila Times — Japan tame North Korea to win Games gold after shootout drama
  4. Korea Times — S. Korea blanked by Japan in women's football semifinals, to face China for bronze
  5. AFC — AG (W): Japan, DPR Korea set up final showdown

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