Nanjing: Japan have come to expect success at the AFC U-19 Women’s Championship.
Four titles, including three in the last four editions, means Japan are the most successful team in the tournament’s history, but, for now, head coach Ikeda Futoshi is looking no further than securing a top three position – and with it U-20 Women’s World Cup qualification.
“We want to do well in in the tournament, and our goal is to get the World Cup ticket,” said the former Urawa Reds defender.
“That is the goal, but Japan are here as champions (picture above) from the last (AFC U-19 Women’s tournament) and I always see winning the title as our challenge.”
Given their habit of qualifying for U-17 and U-20 Women’s World Cups, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that a number of his players are already vastly experienced at international level, but when asked for a player to watch, Ikeda said one name stands out.
“Asato Miyagawa,” he said. “She has played in the U-19s for three years and she has played in the previous tournament (in 2015). I expect her to show experience and leadership for our team.”
Midfielder Miyagawa also played in the U-17 Women’s World Cup in 2014, as well as last year’s global U-20 tournament in Papua New Guinea, where Japan finished third.
Japan train on Saturday ahead of their opening clash against Vietnam.
By contrast, Vietnam are appearing in the AFC U-19 Women’s Championship Finals after a six-year absence, and looking for their first win in the tournament since beating Malaysia 13 years ago.
Vietnamese coach Vu Ba Dong said his team are raring to go against one of the region’s best teams.
“It’s been long team since Vietnam has brought a team to the AFC U-19 Women’s Championship Finals, and most of our players are still young,” said the veteran boss.
“I hope my players will use the opportunity to build their experience, and the first match against Japan on Monday is very important. Our players will try their best to score.”
Vietnamese women’s football has enjoyed a year to remember, claiming gold at the Kuala Lumpur 2017 SEA Games in August and qualifying for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup, and no stone has been left unturned in the team’s preparation, with the squad spending a month training together.
Vietnam will be aiming to do what no team have ever done, beat Japan in their opening AFC U-19 Women's Championship match.
Japan have never lost on the opening day in AFC U-19 Women’s Championship history, but Dong highlighted Truc Hong and Nguyen Thi Nu as players who could make the difference for his team.
“Both of those players were there in the qualifiers and now play really important roles in our team,” he said.
The teams have met twice before in the tournament, with Japan winning both matches, the most recent being a 6-0 win in Ho Chi Minh City four years ago, with current Nadeshiko striker Kumi Yokoyama scoring a hat-trick.
Photos: Lagardère Sports, AFC
Source: the-afc.com