Japan advance to AFC U16 final

KUALA LUMPUR: Two- time champions Japan advances to the Under-16 ( U-16) Asian Football Confederation final for the fourth time after overcoming Australia 3-1 in their first semi- final at Bukit Jalil National Stadium yesterday.

For the record, Japan emerged champions in 1994 and 2006 and also as runners-up in 2012.

In the action yesterday, Japan were 1- 0 down after a penalty kick by Noah Botic in the eighth minute after he was fouled inside the penalty box by Sako Maaya.

Botic, who took the shot, easily beat goalkeeper Masato Sasaki and the score remained until the end of the first half of the match.

Once the match resumed, Yoshi ro Mor iyama’s boys launched continuous attacks and managed to equalise in the 59th minute through Shoji Toyoma, who completed a short pass from substitute Ryuma Nakano.

Toyama f i r e d a s e c ond personal goal in the 69th minute which resulted from Australian goalkeeper Adam Pavlesic’s blunder who mistakenly gave the ball to an opponent who passed it to Toyama to put Japan ahead.

Japan confirmed the ticket to the final when Shunsuke Mito easily pushed in a teammate’s cross in the 78th minute and the 3-1 result remained until the end of the match.

Japan and Austral ia also advanced to the U-17 World Cup in Peru next year after reaching the semi-finals. — Bernama