Japan’s Ruthless Streak Poses Fresh Challenge For Rising Matildas In Women’s Asian Cup Final | Martin Pegan

If nan Matildas needed immoderate informing of nan immense situation they will look successful nan Women’s Asian Cup last connected Saturday, Japan fired a changeable crossed their front successful a commanding semi-final triumph complete South Korea. The world No 6 arrived astatine nan tourney arsenic nan squad to hit and person since cemented their spot arsenic nan favourites crossed a near-flawless campaign.

Japan’s accent connected a controlled, possession-heavy style wrong a good oiled instrumentality mightiness beryllium a fever dream for Joe Montemurro and really he envisages nan Matildas evolving crossed his tenure. But for now nan erstwhile Lyon, Juventus and Arsenal head will beryllium plotting to debar nan last turning into a nightmare, arsenic Australia’s much-vaunted aureate procreation chases elusive silverware connected Saturday night.

Japan, who are two-time Asian Cup winners, cruised done nan group shape and scored 24 times without conceding earlier facing South Korea astatine Stadium Australia connected Wednesday night. But successful possibly their first genuine trial of nan tournament, Japan recovered different cogwheel arsenic they enjoyed 64% possession and completed 88% of their 590 passes against nan Taegeuk Ladies.

The South Korean squad that mostly controlled nan shot and caused nan Matildas each sorts of problems during their group-stage conflict – erstwhile nan hosts needed a stoppage-time extremity conscionable to snatch a tie – was alternatively nan broadside pinch their backs to nan wall against nan much polished Japan. Korea’s swift shot activity retired of defence and done nan midfield that regularly carved unfastened nan Matildas crumbled nether nan unit of Japan’s relentless property and precocious strength erstwhile a spot successful nan decider was up for grabs.

Japan person shown a ruthless streak connected apical of their crisp passing, well-crafted patterns and precocious tempo play, piling connected 28 goals connected their march to nan final. They person been arsenic awesome astatine nan back, moreover if seldom put nether pressure, only conceding a first extremity of nan tourney erstwhile starring Korea 3-0. Korea had tried each nighttime to counterattack against Japan pinch fewer signs of breaking done until Kang Chae-rim netted a consolation extremity successful nan 78th minute. Any dream of an improbable comeback was quickly unopen down erstwhile Remina Chiba vanished disconnected a breathtaking modulation to people Japan’s 4th 3 minutes later.

Japan's coach Nils Nielsen talks to nan squad successful their quarter-final against nan Philippines. Photograph: Rick Rycroft/AP

The accelerated consequence to reconstruct nan three-goal separator was a reminder of really Japan tin people successful aggregate ways. Much of their occurrence passim nan tourney has been built connected nan instauration of aggravated pressing and intelligent reference of nan play. South Korea were conscionable nan latest squad to struggle to play retired from nan backmost against a broadside that flips into protect mode astatine nan first motion of a turnover, and pounces connected nan wingbacks whenever their opponents look to move nan shot to nan different flank. The opener from aureate footwear leader Riko Ueki came aft a play of sustained unit and Fuka Nagano picking a South Korean pouch successful nan punishment area. While nan 2nd was a infinitesimal of magic from Maika Hamano. Japan’s 3rd extremity mightiness onslaught conscionable arsenic overmuch fearfulness into nan Matildas’ defence, arsenic seasoned Saki Kumagai leapt highest to put distant a corner.

Against China, Australia looked much settled pinch vice-captain Steph Catley returning from a concussion and stepping into cardinal defence, and nan gait and attacking activity of Ellie Carpenter and Kaitlyn Torpey connected either broadside will beryllium conscionable arsenic important to exiting nan backmost half successful nan final. Goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold has returned to shape since overcoming injury, but tin expect to person Japan forwards rushing astatine her whenever she receives nan shot to feet connected Saturday night.

None of this will beryllium a daze to Montemurro aliases nan Matildas, who were fixed an early informing of what Japan would beryllium tin of successful this tourney erstwhile nan 2 sides met small complete a twelvemonth agone during nan SheBelieves Cup. The Matildas were blown distant successful a 4-0 conclusion that was portion of a dismal run successful nan US while nan broadside was still drifting nether interim coach Tom Sermanni.

Japan person had much clip to settee and recovered their hit nether caput coach Nils Nielsen who took nan reins not agelong earlier that past meeting, aft antecedently being successful complaint of Switzerland and his autochthonal Denmark women’s teams. Nielsen has seen Mary Fowler and Alanna Kennedy up adjacent during a little stint arsenic method head astatine Manchester City, and was afloat of praise for nan Matildas attacker moreover aft Japan group up a winner-takes-all conflict pinch nan hosts.

The last connected Saturday nighttime will beryllium nan 31st conflict betwixt nan sides since they first met successful 1984. Those meetings see 2 Women’s Asian Cup deciders, erstwhile Japan doubly collapsed nan Matildas’ hearts pinch constrictive 1-0 triumphs successful 2014 and 2018. Australia had a Sam Kerr extremity rubbed retired and a missed punishment crossed those 2 finals, but will apt request to beryllium much objective this clip against a Japan broadside that gives up fewer chances.