AFC U17 Women's Asian Cup
It was 5-0 to Japan when the sides met in Group B but both head coaches are anticipating a very different encounter this time around.
Japan head coach Sadayoshi Shirai, who was also in charge in the 2024 edition, predicts that the analysis done by both teams will mean a different kind of match as the East Asian side bid for a third successive final appearance and fifth title.
“This time (compared to 2024), we have a lot more players who are stronger and confident when it comes to physical challenges,” said Shirai.
“This time (compared to 2024), we have a lot more players who are stronger and confident when it comes to physical challenges,” said Shirai.
“It will be a different game for the semi-final compared to the group stage. They have done a lot of analysis, so have we.
“It’s quite possible that the things that we did during the group stage match will not work this time around, however, the players only need to do their best and I’m confident we can advance.”
“It’s quite possible that the things that we did during the group stage match will not work this time around, however, the players only need to do their best and I’m confident we can advance.”
#U17WAC - Preview: Semi-finals
Australia head coach Michael Cooper is leaning on the fact that he made multiple changes that saw the group stage encounter become one-sided but at the same time, is also taking learnings from that defeat.
“Super excited about the opportunity,” said Cooper. “Great achievement to reach the semis but we won’t let the experience get by us. We know Japan are a great team but we will do the best we can."
“Super excited about the opportunity,” said Cooper. “Great achievement to reach the semis but we won’t let the experience get by us. We know Japan are a great team but we will do the best we can."
“Every game to play is an opportunity to learn. We rotated the team against Japan but at the same time, there were certain parts of the game that were disappointing.
“Japan like to have the ball and we didn’t look after the ball well enough in the first game. Our intent is to try to be braver in possession and play through the pressure and create more goalscoring opportunities because we didn’t have any threat at all in the first game.”
“Japan like to have the ball and we didn’t look after the ball well enough in the first game. Our intent is to try to be braver in possession and play through the pressure and create more goalscoring opportunities because we didn’t have any threat at all in the first game.”
Japan v Australia
Venue: Suzhou Sports Centre Stadium (Suzhou)
Kick-off: Thursday, 15:00 (UTC+8)
Venue: Suzhou Sports Centre Stadium (Suzhou)
Kick-off: Thursday, 15:00 (UTC+8)
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