Young Matildas lose

Young Matildas went down 1-0 to Japan in the AFC Under 19 Championships and Coach Alan Stajic was sent off. AFC report below

CHONGQING: Chinatsu Kira helped Japan defeat Australia 1-0 in a nervy start to their Group A campaign in the AFC U-19 Women’s Championship here at the Chongqing Olympic Sports Centre on Saturday.


Both sides were evenly matched from the off and the only goal of the game came on 21 minutes when Japanese left winger Michi Goto hoodwinked two Australian defenders to dispatch a low cross into the box where striker Kira was waiting unmarked.


Having collected the ball, Kira kept her nerve and coolly slotted it past Australian goalkeeper Lydia Williams. The scoreline stayed that way till the end and the Japanese defence had a huge role to play in this as their rivals went flat out to equalise towards the end.


Japanese custodian Misa Sugawara thwarted several attempts in concert with central defensive midfielder Rumi Utsogi and central defender Naoko Sakuramoto.


There was more woe in store for the Young Matildas when coach Alen Stajcic was sent off by Thai referee Pannipar Kamnueng in the 87th minute which rounded off a miserable outing for the team from down under.


Japanese coach Norio Sasaki said his team implemented the game plan perfectly. “The credit of this victory goes to all the players who worked so hard,” said Sasaki.


“Our goal is to end in the top three to qualify for the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup next year. I think Korea Republic and China will be the toughest teams to overcome in this competition.”


Australian coach Stajcic was crestfallen. “This was a close game and either one of us could have won. Japan are slightly better than us as far players’ skills are concerned but physically we are stronger. I think they were lucky today.”


Japan will be looking to make it two out two when they meet Myanmar on October 8 while Australia take on world champions DPR Korea.