Japan down China after
penalty shoot-out

The penalty shoot-out sealed China's fate, as they went down 1-4 to Japan in an exciting semi-final in the Asian Football Confederation Under-19 women's championship at the Nehru stadium in Margao, Goa, on Friday.

In the final, on April 28, Japan will meet Chinese Taipei, who rallied superbly to down DPR Korea 5-4, also via the tie-breaker in the other semi-final.

China and DPR Korea will play the same day to decide the third and fourth place.

Japan held more ball possession in the first half after drawing first blood in the fifth minute, through Ayako Kitamoto.

A move was initiated from the left by Yukari Kinga and Kanako Ito. The latter sent a deep pass to Kana Watamba, who in turn relayed the ball to Aya Kitamoto, who slotted home.

The Japanese called the shots thereafter, but were unable to increase the lead, and forced to cross over with only a 1-0 advantage.

In the second half, China's midfield, which was non-existent in the first session, came alive and pressuried Japan's defence. However, their strikers were unable to find the net. But with minutes ticking away, they struck in injury time.

Zhangna, from the middle, laid a through pass to Bi Yan, who beat a rival defender in her stride and shot to the far post, past diving keeper Mibo Fukumoto.

The goal spurred the Chinese who went all out in extra-time and had two close chances but keeper Fukumoto prevented Han Duan from scoring.

With both teams failing to break the deadlock in extra-time, the tie-breaker was introduced. Japan's Kanako Ito, Akiko Niwata and Akiko Sudo beat the Chinese goalkeeper while Shinobu Ohno's try went wide. China failed to convert a single kick. Jin Xiaomei's try sailed over the bar, Zhang Na's shot was saved by Japan goalkeeper Miho Fukumoto, Jiang Shuai's kick hit the crossbar and went out, and the fourth try by Bi Yan also sailed over the bar.

In the second semifinal, the Koreans took the lead in the 31st minute through Ri Kwang Ok header but the Chinese Taipei equalised in the 38th minute through a 30-yard free kick from Hui Chih Chang.

With both the teams failing to break the deadlock in regulation and extra-time, the tie-breaker was introduced.

Chinese Taipei's Hui Chih Chang, Yu Hsing Cheng, Pei Chen Pan and Li Chen Tsai converted while Pei Wen Yu's shot went straight into 'keeper Chon Kyong Hwa's hands.

For DPR Korea, Min Chung Bok, Hwang Song Mi, Ko Jong Ryon found the net but Han Ryon Hui's shot hit the bar and Kim Hyang Mi shot out to give Chinese Taipei victory.

Asian Women's under-19 Championships 2002 - The Complete Coverage