Asian final and unprecedented final to be played tonight (11 pm) North Korea and Japan in the Women’s U20 World Cup. It is surprising not to see Spain, current champion and finalist in 2018 after losing to the Japanese, in this global event to highlight the great numbers and promises of the moment, where there are already well-known names that shine in their own light.
North Korea and Japan They will play this Sunday (23 Spanish time) in the final of the U-20 Women’s World Cup in Colombia, a match between teams that so far have not lost.
The blue samurai, Playing in their third consecutive final, they will be looking for their second title after the one achieved in France 2018, while the Eastern Azaleas will try to lift the trophy for the third time after doing so in Russia 2006 and Papua New Guinea 2016.
The match will be one between two scoring teams who like to link up, attack and hold nothing back in matches.
Possibility of revenge and dreams of greatness
The match is a chance for revenge for Nadeshiko, who on March 16 lost the U-20 Women’s Asian Cup final in Uzbekistan to their rivals last week 1-2.
To achieve this, coach Michihisa Kano will have his best players at the highest level, such as midfielder Manaka Matsukubo, who scored a double in the semifinal against the Netherlands; attacker Maya Hijikata, the tournament’s leading scorer with five goals, and midfielder Aemu Oyama, who organized the team from the back.
To reach the final, Japan defeated New Zealand 7-0, Ghana 4-1 and Austria 0-2, winning Group E. In the round of 16, the team defeated Nigeria with a 2-1 victory.
In the quarterfinals they defeated Spain 1-0 and won 2-0 in the semifinals against the Netherlands.
Kano assured that after the pandemic, Japanese teams aim to surpass past achievements and “do things better.”
“The final of the World Cup is very significant for us and to be able to continue our successes,” the strategist added in the pre-game press conference.
Power and scoring system
North Korea came into the tournament as one of the favorite teams and in the tournament they showed it. Under the leadership of midfielder Chae Un Yong, who is one of the top scorers with five goals and the axis of his team.
Their coach Ri Song Ho has turned into a goal-scoring machine scoring 24 goals in six games played in the tournament.
“We have achieved a lot, I’m sure the Japanese players also worked very hard and improved their game. So if we all work hard and also our team, the result will definitely be very good,” said Song Ho in the reference at the level shown by both teams compared to the last Asian Cup.
To reach the final, North Korea defeated Argentina 6-2, Costa Rica 9-0 and the Netherlands 0-2.
They then beat Austria 5-2 in the round of 16, Brazil 0-1 in the quarterfinals and the United States 0-1 in the semifinals.
Possible lineups:
Japan: Akane Okuma; Uno Shiragaki, Raika Okamura, Nana Kashimura, Rio Sasaki; Aemu Oyama, Shiomi Koyama, Manaka Matsubuko; Miyu Matsunaga, Maya Hijikata and Rihona Ujihara.
Coach: Michihisa Kano.
North Korea: Chae Un Gyong; Han Hong Ryon, Oh Sol Song, Kim Kang Mi, Hwang Yu Yong; Kim Song Gyong, Jon Ryong Jong, Kim Song Ok, Chae Un Yong; Pak Mi Ryong and Choe Il Son.
Coach: Ri Song Ho.
Referee: Italian Maria Sole Ferrieri, assisted by her compatriot Tiziana Trasciatti and Portuguese Vanessa Gomes.
Stadium: El Campín, Bogotá.
Source: La Verdad
I’m Rose Herman and I work as an author for Today Times Live. My expertise lies in writing about sports, a passion of mine that has been with me since childhood. As part of my job, I provide comprehensive coverage on everything from football to tennis to golf.
