Japan flattened China's nose.
Japan won 3-1 against China in the sixth Group C match of the third Asian qualifying round for the 2026 North-China World Cup at Xiamen Egret Stadium in Xiamen, China, at 9 p.m. on the 19th (Korea time). Japan has firmly maintained its No. 1 position in the group with 16 points with this victory. China lost after two straight wins and fell back to fifth place.
It was an overwhelming game for Japan, but Japan did not easily score. Often, China also fought back, demonstrating its determination not to collapse once again against Japan.
But China's will fell apart at the set piece. Kubo Takefusa sharply raised the kick from a corner kick in the 39th minute of the first half. Koki Ogawa, whose Chinese defenders were behind him, rushed in and hit China's net with his head.
After the first run, China began to crumble. Just before the end of the first half, Japan enjoyed another corner kick. Junya Ito raised the kick. Machida turned it around with her head, and itakura Ko, who fell back, finished it. It was Japan that began to topple China in the set piece.
At the start of the second half, China succeeded in fighting back. China's counterattack proceeded quickly in the third minute of the second half. Japan also made a quick defensive transition, but Lin Liangming finished calmly in the net as he failed to block Wei Xiao's pass.
China tried to bring one point against Japan, but there was no way Japan would allow it. In the 9th minute of the second half, Kubo and Ito disturbed the Chinese defense with a pass play from the right. Ito's cross came well to Koki, who finished with his head. Japan scored three goals with just a header.
China tried again to close the gap. Wei Xiao's powerful shot in the 25th minute of the second half was blocked by the goalkeeper's defense. Japan didn't overdo it at all in the Chinese expedition. Using the lead, he used the Japanese game management to eat away the physical strength of the Chinese players.
In the end, China finished the game without narrowing the gap. China failed to avenge the 0-7 disaster in Japan. In two games against Japan, he had to realize a huge gap with a total of 1 to 10.
With this victory, Japan has virtually confirmed its advance to the World Cup. Australia, ranked second, has yet to play, but the current gap with the third place is 10 points. Arithmetically, it is not yet confirmed because there are four games left, but Group C is currently competing in a chaotic ranking except for Japan. In the current trend, Japan's fall below third place is not depicted at all.
rlaeotlr2024@sportschosun.com
