Japan and Australia will meet in the final of the Asian Cup Friday in Amman. If Japan has mastered its subject against China, it was close to the sensation in the other semifinal with Thailand close to leave Australia.


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As in 2014, the final of the Asian Cup will oppose Japan and Australia. Four years ago, the Nadeshiko had won the trophy for the winners of Australia, winner in 2010. A final so expected, even if the Australian Matildas are close to a resounding elimination in the semifinals.


Thailand on the brink of the feat


Facing Thailand, the case could seem heard after the victory of 5-0 against Australia against the same team from Thailand on March 26 in preparation match of the Asian Cup. However, this afternoon, it is the Australians who have long run after the score to finally pull out the extra time in the second period. It all started well with an opening goal in the 17th minute on a center of Emily Gienik extended head in his own goal by Kanjanaporn Saengkoon.

This advantage in the score was finally short with 20 minutes, the equalizer of Kanjana Sungngoen who tries a lob at the entrance to the surface and manages to mislead Mackenzie Arnold. The Australian goalkeeper misses his parade and must let the ball slip into his goal. Mackenzie Arnold again took the lead on the second Thai goal with a full center clearance that Alanna Kennedy can not control at 16 meters and it is finally Rattikan Thongsombut who takes the opportunity to find the net (63rd).

Alanna Kennedy, trapped on this action, then manages to bring Australia up in injury time, a return preceded by the expulsion of the Thai Wilaiporn Boothduang also late in the game (87th). Reduced to ten, the Thai players yield on a corner Elise Kellond-Knight resumed head by Alanna Kennedy (90 + 1). In overtime, Australia does not take advantage of its power play and both teams must rely on the shoot-out.

In this exercise, Mackenzie Arnold makes his game forget by making three parries. In the end, only Ainon Phancha will find the way to the nets on the Thai side. For the Matildas, there are three to score their shot-in-goal and including Samantha Kerr who scored the match point in favor of Australia (2-2, 3-1 tab).


Japan without missteps


In the other semifinal, Japan won 3-1 against China after a controlled match. A solid performance for a Japanese team that started the tournament with a lot of questions, including its status as a favorite in this Asian Cup and nation leading for major international tournaments to come.

Faced with China, Asako Takakura's team was able to rely on its strengths and in particular on a Mana Iwabuchi again decisive. The Japanese striker opened the scoring at the end of the first period ideally served by Rin Sumida between four Chinese defenders. Not attacked, Iwabuchi manages to shift on his left foot and place a shot that Peng Shimeng can only accompany in his own goal (39th).

At the beginning of the second period, China has several opportunities to return to the score including the cross shot Song Duan that passes close to the frame (49th). The Chinese Steel Roses are more to their advantage in the second half with fatigue on the Japanese side, but also the entry of Wang Shanshan peak. Japan is still enterprising, and Yui Hasegawa is close to allowing Nadeshiko to break after a service Iwabuchi in China (68).

The coaching is also effective on the Japanese side with the entry of Kumi Yokoyama who offers himself a double at the end of the match. The Frankfurt player scored the second goal of the match in the 85th minute on a straight shot from the right at the entrance of the 16 meters. Her shot surprised the Chinese goalkeeper to finish her race in the small net opposite (85th). A few minutes later, Yokoyama converted a penalty (88th) after a hand foul in the Chinese area.

China reduces the gap in the wake with a penalty following a foul of Kumi Yokoyama, definitely throughout this end of the meeting. A penalty converted into goal by Li Ying (90) current top scorer of the tournament with 6 achievements.


Japan will return to Australia on Friday night in the final to conclude the 2018 Asian Cup while China will play a little earlier in the match for third place against Thailand. As a reminder, these four teams are qualified for the 2019 World Cup in France, as well as South Korea who won yesterday's match for fifth place.


Photo in one: AFC