South Korea v Japan AFC Asian Cup Semi-Finals

As both teams fought for a space in the finals, we were left wondering who will be the next team in the finals to face Australia? Here's everything you missed.

(Image credit to Seoul economic daily)

First Half

As we kicked off the semi final, Japan started off kicking the ball straight back to their goalkeeper, Japan owning the ball, with Korea Republic starting off slow but making sure to try and press Japan players. An amazing quick turn from Japan trying to find the back of the net within the first minutes, but unfortunately didn't. Korea Republic went in for a few attacks by the second minute, but the ball was taken away by Japan.

 Korea Republic found their way close to the goal, but was quickly stopped by Japan. Japan circulated the ball around the pitch with players all spread out. In the 6th minute, Japan went in for a shot and was saved by Korea Republic's keeper. What a chance that could have been for Japan, full of power, but just was not for them. After a goal kick from Korea Republic in the 7th minute, Japan wasn't slow with getting the ball back in possession. The ball was kicked far into the pitch, but was quickly brought back to Korea Republic's half.

 Japan had won a corner, kicked straight into the centre of the penalty area, headed away by Korea Republic but headed back in by Japan directly at the goal, but landed straight into the keepers hands. But within minutes, another corner for Japan. The ball was kicked, could this have been another chance for Japan, 3rd time lucky? Hit to centre, headed away, but another shot was taken to land back as a goal kick. After a drop ball in the centre of the pitch was done, Japan quickly pressed. Korea Republic got control, saw an opportunity, took it, and the ball landed in the back of the net, scored by Riko Ueki in the 15th minute, 1-0 to Japan. Another drop ball in the 18th minute, a lot closer to Korea Republic penalties. Korea Republic took the ball, sped down the pitch. In the 24th minute, it was 2v1, with Maika Hamano having 2 players in their way, finding space to escape, fastly taking a shot on goal, and the ball making it to the back of the net, making it 2-0 for Japan. In the 28th minute, Japan scored another goal, but VAR ruled it out as disallowed due to offside. 

Japan was so fast, their ball speed was amazing, taking any opportunities there was. On the 42nd minute, Japan was back tracking the ball, going further from the goal but making sure they had space to get closer. Slowly they went in to take a shot on the 43rd minute, but VAR was undergoing to see if the goal was allowed. Unfortunately, the goal was disallowed. An extra 4 minutes was added on to the first half. Korea Republic roughly won possession, but Japan won it back immediately.

Second Half

As the second half kicked off, Korea Republic was trying to step up their game, but Japan was not holding back, trying to get into the box and score. A Korea Republic player got possession of the ball, speeding down the pitch, but Japan quickly got back and took the ball. Japan had an amazing goal, but Korea Republic's goalkeeper caught the ball right in their hands. In the 75th minute, Japan was given another corner, kicked high and headed right into the centre of the goal by Saki Kumagai. What a fantastic goal.

 Minutes later, Korea Republic gained possession, trying to get shots in goal, holding the ball strong, but was kicked away by Japan. But Korea Republic made sure to get back on the ball, having an amazing chance and scoring right on the bottom right of the goal, scored by Kang Chae-rim on the 78th minute. What a goal, the stadium was going crazy, giving Korea Republic hope. But not long after, Japan ran back and scored an amazing goal from a distance, making the goal 4-1 to Japan, all thanks to Remina Chiba, definitely leaving Japan in the finals.

 Korea Republic was trying to still get some goals, speeding down the pitch with the ball every chance they could get, but Japan was just too fast and re-gained possession. In the 85th minute, Japan scored another amazing header, but was disallowed due to offside. An extra 5 minutes of time was added to the end of the match. Korea Republic went in for an amazing shot, but landed straight into the Japan goalkeeper's hands. The full time whistle was blown, with Japan landing their space in the finals with a 4-1 win.

Written by Nailah Gajia