Group A China 2 - 0 Uzbekistan (Chen Yuanmeng 19', Liu Jing 61') Korea DPR 9 - 0 Thailand (Sung Hyang Sim 12' 45+1' 47' 69', Kim Pom Ui 19'(p), Ri Hae Yon 39' 64', Yu Hyo Sim 45+2') 2 years ago Uzbekistan lost 0-9 to China. Today in much more even game although still not 50/50, Uzbek players had their own chances to score. Curious, China has Dutch manager - former player, whom was previously Jordan and Australia WNT coach. 2 years ago Korea DPR's team won 5-0 with Thailand and later became WWC U-20 champions in 2016. Today they scored nine and against improved looking Thai team. Curious, North Koreans have German coach - it may sound a change in thinking by their Politbiuro toward further youth players developement into successful senior team.
Korea Rep. 0 - 2 Australia (Remy Siemsen 70', Princess Ibni-Isei 90+3') Disappointment for Korea. They were the better team today but missed four or five100% chances. Aussies defended with some luck on their side and waited mostly for steals and opponent errors. Both their goals came from an individual effort. First one though nicely caught opponent defenders sleeping. Japan 8 - 0 Vietnam (Jun Endo 3', Nana Ono 30', Riko Ueki 33', Saori Takarada 53' 59' 67', Mizuka Sato 57' 73') Convincing result from Nadeshiko side proving that they're strong favourites for the final again.
Yes, I watched the game and I can confirm that, although Vietnam looked really poor, Japan's performance was almost flawless and their game-play was fluent and spectacular. Can't wait to see them again vs Australia on Thursday!
Group A Thailand 0 - 2 China (Tipkritta 28'(og.), Liu Jing 72') Considering potential it was an averege performance by China and quite decent by Thailand. Uzbekistan 0 - 2 Korea DPR (Ju Hyo Sim 8', Kim Pom Ui 58') Uzbek goalie Jonimqulova was silent hero of her team today. She stopped Korean strikers more than few times. All around Uzbekistan team looks much better than 2 years ago however it's worth to notice that Koreans didn't often force the tempo like they did in their match vs.Thailand. 1. Korea DPR 6p 11-0 2. China 6p 4-0 3. Uzbekistan 0p 0-4 4. Thailand 0p 0-11
Group B Vietnam 0 - 5 Korea Republic (Mun Eunju 8', Kim Soeun 23' 74' 85', Kim Eun Soul 58') Australia 1 - 5 Japan (Remy Siemsen 13' - Asato Miyagawa 51', Honoka Hayashi 58', Hinata Miyazawa 66', Saori Takarada 72' 90+3') 1. Japan 6p 13-1 2. Australia 3p 3-5 3. Korea Rep. 3p 5-2 4. Vietnam 0p 0-13
Group A China 0 - 2 Korea DPR (An Song Ok 3', Ri Hae Yon 28') Easy win for Korea and another Sung Hyang Sim and Ri Hae Yon show. Koreans could've been even four or five up and before halftime while China had only one good chance throughout the game. Thailand 2 - 2 Uzbekistan (Kanyana Chetthabutr 45+1', Orrapan Bunthong 71' - Khabibullaeva Diorakhon 9' 66') Uzbek players may feel a little disappointed by some of the ref's calls but ulitmately twice they had a lead and twice they allowed Thailand to get back. 1. Korea DPR 9p 13-0 2. China 6p 4-2 3. Uzbekistan 1p 2-6 4. Thailand 1p 2-13
Group B Japan 2 - 0 Korea Rep. (Mami Muraoka 49', Oto Kanno 81') Australia 5 - 2 Vietnam (Remy Siemsen 5', Rachel Lowe 15', Alexandra Chidiac 28' 69' 72' - Tuyet Ngan 50', Ha Thi Nhai 81') 1. Japan 9p 15-1 2. Australia 6p 8-7 3. Korea Rep. 3p 5-4 4. Vietnam 0p 2-18 Semi Finals 25.10 Korea DPR - Australia Japan - China
Semi-finals (higlights are shown during the brake and after final whistle) Korea DPR 3 - 0 Australia (Kim Pom Ui 9'(p), Sung Hyang Sim 28' 65') With their best striker pausing for cards and half of team A rested on the bench today, Australian coach basically throw the towel before the game. It's clear that Matildas were saving strength for saturday's 3rd place game vs. easier opponent in order to get the last ticket for WWC. For Korea It was buissnes as usual today with their best 11 starting again, however after taking two goal lead they went rather into cruise control mode and didn't force the tempo much too often. Japan 5 - 0 China (Hinata Miyazawa 47' 48', Chen Qiaozhu 61'(og.), Riko Ueki 64', Rina Mehara 85') Was it tactical gamble, a show of fair play from the hosts in front of their supporters or just plain naivete? (especially knowing what Australians did) Either way Dutch coach of China send her best 11 with orders to fight for every ball and to win this game. And China started strong, for the first 10-15 minutes. After that, minute by minute Japan's domination started to show and almost on every aspect of the game. China's goalie basically saved her team in 1st half. Though fighting bravely Chinese players were outclassed in 2nd half where Japan scored five goals. 28th Saturday 3rd place Australia v China Energy level, bench depth and whom wants to play in WWC more will decide the winner, Final Korea DPR v Japan It will be close affair. Korea had easier group but Japan has settle a score.
3rd place match Australia 0 - 3 China (He Luyao 20', Xie Qiwen 53', Jin Kun 54') Van Egmond's tactical ruse of resting his key players in semifinal didn't bear expected result today. Fresh legs of Remy Siemsen and Princess Ibni-Isei along with still the same - one dimensional way of play, weren't enough today for China's overall better tactical setup and show of good individual skills from Zhao Yujie, Xie Qiwen or Dou Jiaxing. Coach De Reus and her players deservedly book tickets for WWC in France next year.
FINAL Korea DPR 0 - 1 Japan (Riko Ueki 50') The rivalry at youth level between these two countries continues. This time around it was Japan's turn to raise the throphy as young Nadeshiko not only defended their title from 2015 but as well they took revenge on North Koreans for WWC U-17 loss in last year final. Key for Japan success today were rotation of players throughout the tourney, tighter defense and better team cohesion. North Koreans gave a very good fight and were equal opponents for today winners with their enticing #7 Sung Hyang Sim collecting tourney individual awards. 1. Japan 2. Korea DPR 3. China 4. Australia 5. Korea Rebublic 6. Uzbekistan 7. Thailand 8. Vietnam Top Scorer: Sung Hyang Sim (PRK) MVP: Sung Hyang Sim (PRK) Fair Play: Japan