The Japanese weathered the early DPR Korea pressure to hit decisively on the break and take a 10th minute lead.

 

Yuzuki Yamamoto picked up possession on the half way line, cutting infield from the right to play an inch-perfect pass into the path of Yoshino Nakashima and her first time finish just cleared the outstretched hand of Kim Un Hui.

 

With seven minutes left in the half, however, DPR Korea were level. Wi Jong Sim strode down the left flank before sending in a low cross that the Japanese defence failed to clear, leaving Kim Kyong Yong to thump her left foot strike into the bottom corner.

DPR Korea continued to put the Japanese under pressure but, after failing to break through, Ri Yu Il’s side succumbed when the champions hit three goals in six minutes.

 

Tanikiawa’s corner unlocked the DPR Korea defence in the 66th minute, finding the head of Osawa from three yards out to put the Japanese back in front.

 

Three minutes later Osawa broke down the right before laying the ball off to Tanikawa, and she unleashed a left foot shot from 20 yards that Kim Un Hui was unable to stop.

 

By the 72nd minute the Japanese had effectively sealed the win when Chiba was released by a pass from deep and she raced in on goal to fire her left foot shot over Kim Un Hui and spark scenes of jubilation among her team mates.

“We felt the tension and the atmosphere was quite interesting, but all our players played with confidence and faced up to the challenge of today’s match,” said Kano.

 

“We had some difficulties during the game but everyone worked together to overcome the challenges. In the second half we learned from the experience of the first half and we scored many goals and I’m very happy about that.

 

“The whole team was very united and today’s result was because of the efforts of the whole team.”

China PR claimed the bronze medal with a comprehensive 7-0 win over Uzbekistan, with a strong second half showing from Shui Qingxia’s AFC Women’s Asian Cup™ holders ensuring the hosts claimed an emphatic victory.

 

Ou Yiyao gave the Chinese the perfect start in the first minute and Chen Qiaozhu doubled the lead 25 minutes later before Wang Shanshan ensured the Steel Roses had a three-goal advantage just before the interval.

 

Wurigumala hit the fourth 14 minutes into the second half with Chen scoring her second three minutes later before Gu Yasha and Yao Wei completed the win.

“Every team have their wins and defeats but most importantly, we need to improve ourselves in these games,” coach Shui said. “I think our players did very well today.

 

"The victory today is really gratifying for me and for the whole team. We didn’t win the semi-final but our team has gained a lot of experience and that’s important.”