Japan thrash the Philippines 7-0 to reach Women's Asian Cup semis
The Straits Times
March 15 - Toko Koga scored twice as Japan stayed on course for a third Women's Asian Cup title with a 7-0 win over the Philippines in Sydney on Sunday, setting up a semi-final against South Korea. Read more at straitstimes.com.
March 15 - Toko Koga scored twice as Japan stayed on course for a third Women's Asian Cup title with a 7-0 win over the Philippines in Sydney on Sunday, setting up a semi-final against South Korea.
It was one-way traffic throughout but Japan were kept at bay by Philippines goalkeeper Nina Meollo until just before halftime. Mina Tanaka broke the deadlock with a scrappy close-range header before Koga doubled the lead from a corner.
Japan accelerated after the break as Remina Chiba struck a right-footed shot in the 65th minute to make it 3-0.
Two minutes later, Manaka Matsukubo dribbled through the defence to add a fourth before Koga scored her second with another close-range header in the 75th minute.
Momoko Tanikawa added the sixth in the 86th minute and substitute Riko Ueki scored the seventh in the 90th to seal a dominant win for Japan, who have now scored 24 goals without reply in the tournament.
With the win, Japan booked a spot at the 2027 Women's World Cup in Brazil, while the Philippines will compete with the other losing quarter-finalists for two more places in playoffs on the Gold Coast.
March 15 - Toko Koga scored twice as Japan stayed on course for a third Women's Asian Cup title with a 7-0 win over the Philippines in Sydney on Sunday, setting up a semi-final against South Korea. Read more at straitstimes.com.
March 15 - The International Cricket Council (ICC) has reprimanded Pakistan batter Salman Agha for his reaction to a controversial run-out in the second One-Day International against Bangladesh in Dhaka on Friday. Read more at straitstimes.com.
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March 14 - Australia coach Joe Montemurro said Friday's 2-1 victory over North Korea had given them the belief to go on and win the Women's Asian Cup for the first time in 16 years after securing their place at next year's World Cup. Read more at straitstimes.com.