Japan also won their fourth game and have already qualified for Sunday’s gold medal match. Today they beat Azerbaijan 2-0. Azerbaijan, Russia and Belarus have chances to grab the second spot.

 

Azerbaijan v Japan 0-2 (0-2)

 

Japan needed to win this encounter to be already qualified for Sunday’s final. They began with a lot pace and created some good opportunities. For example Ai Murakami’s penalty corner flick hit the crossbar or Kana Nagayama received a pass from Keiko Miura but were not able to control it and to tip it into the empty goal (16’). Three minutes later Japan took the deserved lead when Natsumi Tameto managed to convert a rebound of goalkeeper Viktoriya Shahbazova. Before halftime Kaori Chiba (33’) increased the lead by scoring her fourth goal in this tournament. Japan were dominating the first half and Azerbaijan struggled to enter the opponent’s circle.

 

During the second half Japan had still more ball possession than Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan became dangerous with long flicks coming from the defenders. Striker Myungsoon Mammadova tried to receive them but Ai Murakami protected her well.

 

To sum today’s second game Japan deserved the early qualification for the gold medal match. Azerbaijan did not shoot on the Japanese goal in the second half while Japan had two more penalty corner which failed.

 

Depending on the result of Russia v Wales up to three more teams keep their chances open for the final.

0-1 19’ Natsumi TAMETO (FG)
0-2 33’ Kaori CHIBA (FG)