Japan Triumphs 7-0 in Intense Women's Asian Cup Semifinal!
Mina Tanaka (C) scored Japan's opening goal in theirWomen's Asian Cup quarter-final with the Philippines (SAEED KHAN) Ruthless Japan crushed the Philippines 7-0 on Sunday to book a Women's Asian Cup semi-final with South Korea and close in on a third continental title. The dominant victory at Stadium Australia in Sydney also ensured they will be at a 10th consecutive World Cup in Brazil next year. Japan are the only Asian country to have won the World Cup, in 2011.
They were runners-up four years later. Currently ranked eight, the highest at the Asian Cup, they were a class above with two goals in three minutes late in the first half opening the floodgates. Tottenham defender Toko Koga collected a brace with Mina Tanaka, Remina Chiba, Manaka Matsukubo, Momoko Tanikawa and Riko Ueki also on target in another warning shot to their title challengers.
Japan have blasted a tournament-high 24 goals and conceded none. "They didn't really challenge our defenders and we were in complete control," said Japan coach Nils Nielsen. "It's always nice to score a lot of goals and for the players to show what they can do.
" It set up a last-four clash in Sydney on Wednesday against an equally ominous-looking South Korea, who crushed Uzbekistan 6-0 to progress. Hosts Australia face defending champions China in the other semi-final in Perth on Tuesday. "So 24 goals, I wasn't even aware of that, but I knew we had scored a lot, and that's nice," added the Greenlander Nielsen.
"We will be ready to play South Korea. We have good relations with them, so it's an interesting, fun match for the players. " Japan were unrelenting, launching waves of first-half attacks without being able to penetrate a solid Philippines defence and the safe hands of young goalkeeper Nina Meollo.