Classy Japan outlast rivals to reach semis

Host nation Japan have won through to the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup semi-finals for the first time after a stunning display to defeat Korea Republic 3-1 in a high-quality encounter in Tokyo. Slightly cooler conditions greeted teams for the evening kick off and the two sets of players responded with an entertaining and high tempo contest. A large crowd of nearly 25,000 was on hand to see Japan end a whirlwind first half 3-1 to the good, with the help of a Hanae Shibata brace inside the opening 19 minutes. Jeoun Eunha replied for Korea Republic either side of Shibata’s two strikes, only for Yoko Tanaka to extend the advantage eight minutes before the interval. Yeo Minji, the 2010 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup adidas Golden Ball and adidas Golden Boot winner, returned to the line-up for Korea Republic after being injured against Nigeria in the opening match, but ultimately was unable to lift her team to victory. Japan opened with the same dynamic form they showed against Switzerland four days earlier, and needed just eight minutes to open the scoring. An angled pass from midfield behind the defence was anticipated by Hanae Shibata, who stabbed the ball past the onrushing goalkeeper with the ball dribbling into an empty net. Korea Republic responded with an excellent move to equalise. Lee Geummin dribbled past her defender on the left side of the penalty area, before chipping a perfect cross for Jeoun Eunha to head home from close range for her fourth goal of the tournament. However, parity lasted only four minutes as Shibata found space on the edge of the penalty area and rifled a perfect strike home off the post. The visitors’ hopes suffered another blow before the interval as Tanaka extended the lead. Hikari Tagaki beat one defender and speed towards the byline, before expertly pulling the ball back for Tanaka to sweep into an empty net at the back post. The match settled into a calmer rhythm in the second half with openings at either end infrequent, with the host nation happy to close out the contest. Japan will now meet the winner of tomorrow’s quarter-final between Germany and Norway next Tuesday in Tokyo. FIFA