China host champs DPRK, Japan face Australia in semis
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Hosts China will face reigning champions DPR Korea and in-form Japan will tackle Australia in Thursday's semi-finals of the AFC Women's Asian Cup, which take place at the 42,000-capacity Chengdu Sports Centre.
The semi-final victors will qualify for next year's FIFA Women's World Cup in Germany, where they will be joined by the winners of the third-place playoff, which will be held before Sunday's final.
China will face DPR Korea with both the pressure and support of a large, vocal crowd as they seek to win back the title they won seven straight times from 1986 to 1999 and most recently in 2006.
However, the ‘Steel Roses' have a poor record against DPR Korea. Their 1-0 win in the semi-final of the 2006 Asian Cup remains their only victory over their old foes in their last 14 encounters.
In the Asian Cup final two years ago, Shang Ruihua's side lost 2-1 to DPR Korea after also losing 1-0 to their rivals in the group stage in Ho Chi Minh City.
"DPR Korea are one of the top teams in Asia," Shang said. "They play really tough, but this time my players are eager to win."
Despite finishing top of Group B, China have been unconvincing so far and only escaped with a scoreless draw against Korea Republic after their opponents hit the woodwork four times to the concern of the majority of the 15,000 fans.
A 5-0 win against bottom-placed Vietnam was followed by Sunday's 1-0 win over a much-changed Australia side who had already qualified for the semi-finals.
"The players are getting better match by match," Shang added. "As young players, they need to play more and get used to international matches. We'll do our best to play well as a team and keep improving."
DPR Korea are gunning for their fourth title in five editions, but Kim Kwang-min's side have also been less than dominant. The reigning champions finished second in Group A after losing 2-1 to Japan on Monday following low-scoring wins over Thailand (3-0) and Myanmar (2-0).
Kim, though, has fond memories of the Chengdu Sports Centre. In the 2007 World Cup, his side twice played in front of more than 35,000 fans as they drew 2-2 with the USA and beat Nigeria 2-0 as DPR Korea progressed to the quarter-finals for the first time.
However, the coach is working with a new-look squad in Chengdu. Only 27-year-old striker Kim Yong-ae remains from the World Cup campaign, while her and midfielder Jo Yun-mi are the only two who played in the last Asian Cup.
"We're glad to be in the semi-finals. Although we're facing the home team, we'll play the best football to win and satisfy the people in DPR Korea," Kim said. "The home team has many advantages for sure, so I'm hoping for a fair match."
Japan and Australia meet again
Japan will face Australia in a rematch of the third place playoff in 2008, when the Nadeshiko ran out 3-0 winners after also beating the ‘Matildas' 3-1 in the group stage.
Currently Asia's joint top-ranked side with DPR Korea, Japan are arguably the form team of the tournament and the only one with a 100 per cent record. Coach Norio Sasaki believes his side can not only impress in Chengdu but also in Germany next year, which adds extra importance to the semi-finals.
"The Asian Cup is very important for every team, as we would all like to qualify for the World Cup," said Sasaki, head coach since December 2007. "As long as my players perform like they have trained, we will win the match."
Japan reached the semi-finals of the Asian Cup for the 13th straight time after topping Group A with a 2-1 win over DPR Korea with goals from Germany-based strikers Kozue Ando and Yuki Nagasato, the latter fresh from helping Turbine Potsdam win the UEFA Women's Champions League final.
"It was very hard against the defending champions, especially in this heat, but the players did well all things considered," Sasaki said. "It's very important not to lose any games. Winning was good preparation for the semi-finals."
Australia coach Tom Sermanni and several of his top players still remain from the 2006 Asian Cup in Adelaide, when the hosts – playing in their first AFC event since becoming a member – beat Japan 2-0 in the semis before losing on penalties to China after a 2-2 draw in the final.
However, the two losses to Japan in the last Asian Cup have made Sermanni's side slight underdogs.
"Both teams have improved a lot since then and Japan are stronger. I still think they're the best team in Asia. However, we've had better preparation this time and have more young players, so we're more confident than in 2008," Sermanni said.
However, Australia will be without USA-based striker Lisa De Vanna, who broke her leg following a clash with China goalkeeper Zhang Yanru.
Sermanni remains confident despite losing to China after making 10 changes from the line-up that beat Korea Republic 3-1, with only experienced midfielder Heather Garriock keeping her place.
"I don't consider any of my players to be second string. We've done this in past Asian Cups and at the 2007 World Cup. We play the squad as a whole," Sermanni said.
"We had already qualified and knew we would have to play five games in 12 days. It was important to utilise the squad so we can be fresh for the business end of the tournament."
