Japan stun holders China for final date with S. Korea

KUALA LUMPUR: World No. 9 Japan stunned defending champions China 4-1 to book a place in the final of the Women’s Asia Cup at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil yesterday.

Mazuki Arai (ninth), Akane Shibata (19th), Shiho Otsuka (42nd) and Aki Mitsuhashi (45th) scored for Japan. World No. 7 China, who were unbeaten in the group stage, netted a consolation goal through Yang Peng in the 52nd minute.

“I’m very proud of my players. They’ve trained very hard to fulfil the target of reaching the final,” said Japan coach Yoo Seung-jin.

Japan, the 2007 champions, will meet three-time champions South Korea in today’s final.

South Korea edged India 2-1 in the other semi-final. Cheon Seul-ki (second) and Cheon Eun-bi (10th) sounded the board for the Koreans while captain Ritu Rani replied for India through a penalty corner in the 57th minute.

Malaysia gave themselves a chance to finish in the top five when they whipped Taiwan 7-0 in the fifth to eighth classification playoffs.

Malaysia’s goals came courtesy of Norazlin Sumantri (fifth), captain Nadia Abdul Rashid (sixth), Rabiatul Adawiyah Mohamed (16th), Fazilla Sylvester Silin (35th and 36th), Siti Noor Amarina Ruhani (63rd) and Fatin Shafika (70th).

Malaysia coach Mohamed Nasihin Nubli admitted that he wasn’t really satisfied with the scoreline.

“I’m relieved that we won the game and by a good score, but we could have scored more. There is still much to work on,” he said.

“After missing out on the semifinals, we have turned our attention to the 2014 Asian Games. Our preparations towards that started today (yesterday). With that in mind, I think we could have done better with our finishing,” added Nasihin.

Malaysia will face Kazakhstan, who outplayed Hong Kong 5-0, in the fifth placing playoff today.