ID :
206536
Sun, 09/11/2011 - 18:20
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Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/206536
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Soccer: Japan wrap up Olympic qualifying with win over China+
JINAN, China, Sept. 11 Kyodo -
Women's world champions Japan wrapped up their qualifying campaign for the London Olympics on a winning note with a 1-0 defeat of hosts China on Sunday.
Having already secured one of the two spots up for grabs for next year's Games, Japan fielded a diluted side in the dead rubber but prevailed thanks to Asuna Tanaka's second goal of the tournament at Jinan Olympic Sports Centre.
Japan finished in top spot in the six-team round-robin competition with four wins and a draw, while North Korea also qualified for London, securing the other berth after a 5-0 demolition of Thailand earlier in the day.
''The players that played today came through and did well against a good Chinese side,'' said Japan coach Norio Sasaki.
''We weren't in great condition for this tournament but the players persevered and did really well. We have to move up our condition and stamina levels (for the Olympics).''
Already eliminated China had nothing but pride to play for and roared on by a partisan crowd, they started brightly in a steady drizzle, peppering shots on Miho Fukumoto's goal.
Megumi Takase went close to breaking the deadlock at the other end with a shot into the side netting, but the best chancfell to the Chinese on 38 minutes when Xu Yuan scuffed horribly wide after Han Duan's deflected pass had sent her clean through.
Li Danyang tried her luck from distance with a shot that forced Fukumoto to punch clear just after the interval but Japan took the lead shortly before the hour mark.
Azusa Iwashimizu saw her header come back off the crossbar but Tanaka picked up the loose ball to stab home.
''I thought the ball would come back to me and it was just a case of hitting it,'' said Tanaka.
''I wanted to put everything out there after missing three games but wasn't able to play that well overall and am not satisfied despite my goal.''
Japan defeated tournament favorites United States in the World Cup final in July, marking one of the country's greatest sporting achievements.
The team came fourth at the Beijing Olympics, after losing to Germany 2-0 in the bronze medal match.
Women's world champions Japan wrapped up their qualifying campaign for the London Olympics on a winning note with a 1-0 defeat of hosts China on Sunday.
Having already secured one of the two spots up for grabs for next year's Games, Japan fielded a diluted side in the dead rubber but prevailed thanks to Asuna Tanaka's second goal of the tournament at Jinan Olympic Sports Centre.
Japan finished in top spot in the six-team round-robin competition with four wins and a draw, while North Korea also qualified for London, securing the other berth after a 5-0 demolition of Thailand earlier in the day.
''The players that played today came through and did well against a good Chinese side,'' said Japan coach Norio Sasaki.
''We weren't in great condition for this tournament but the players persevered and did really well. We have to move up our condition and stamina levels (for the Olympics).''
Already eliminated China had nothing but pride to play for and roared on by a partisan crowd, they started brightly in a steady drizzle, peppering shots on Miho Fukumoto's goal.
Megumi Takase went close to breaking the deadlock at the other end with a shot into the side netting, but the best chancfell to the Chinese on 38 minutes when Xu Yuan scuffed horribly wide after Han Duan's deflected pass had sent her clean through.
Li Danyang tried her luck from distance with a shot that forced Fukumoto to punch clear just after the interval but Japan took the lead shortly before the hour mark.
Azusa Iwashimizu saw her header come back off the crossbar but Tanaka picked up the loose ball to stab home.
''I thought the ball would come back to me and it was just a case of hitting it,'' said Tanaka.
''I wanted to put everything out there after missing three games but wasn't able to play that well overall and am not satisfied despite my goal.''
Japan defeated tournament favorites United States in the World Cup final in July, marking one of the country's greatest sporting achievements.
The team came fourth at the Beijing Olympics, after losing to Germany 2-0 in the bronze medal match.
