Japan booked a semifinal spot at the women’s Asia Cup here in Hong Kong by defeating Chinese Taipei 12-0 in Tuesday’s action here in Hong Kong. In the other match of the day, Malaysia booked its first victory by winning 5-0 against Singapore.

By Mike Field, Media Officer Asia Cup

Japan knew that it needed a 12 goal victory margin against Chinese Taipei to move to the top of the pool table ahead of Korea who last night demolished Hong Kong 18-0.

And the impressive Japanese squad did just that to beat a plucky Chinese Taipei side with Ono Myumi converting a penalty corner in the 65th minute to make the score 12-0.

Prior to the game that score was confidently predicted by the Japanese Team Manager Onda Masahi when asked if his squad would go all out to better last night's Korean goal spree. 

With the half time score 6-0, the final result was never in any doubt as the free running Japanese clinically set about achieving their aim of moving to the top of pool, virtually scoring very 5 minutes to keep the 12 goal winning target comfortably in sight.        

Keiko Miura in the no 2 Japanese shirt featured prominently throughout and was the team's top goal scorer in converting five penalty corners. For Chinese Taipei slightly built but elusive runner Chang Ya-Fang impressed with good stick work and had several forays into Japanese territory. 

With Japan and Korea level pegging on 6 points from 2 wins each, Japan has moved into the top pool B slot ahead on goal difference by a single goal. India is in a very similar position, leading China on goal difference by a single score with both sides also on 6 points from 2 wins.

In later Tuesday action, Malaysia defeated Singapore 5-0. With Malaysia netting two field goals inside the first ten minutes of the game through Kannagi Arumugam and Sylvester Silin, the result was never in any doubt.

Malaysia scored the third goal shortly before the interval and then cruised home in the second half with the fifth goal coming right on the final whistle when Norfarahah Hashim converted a penalty corner to wrap up the match. 

Malaysia cannot match the top four teams in the tournament China, Korea, Japan and India and now look to be on target to finish midway overall provided they win their Thursday fixture against Thailand in pool A that in all likelihood will give them a final 5th place in the tournament.

Results Women’s Asia Cup Tuesday 4 September 2007:

Pool A:
Malaysia – Singapore 5-0

Ranking: 1. India 2-6 (22-0), 1. China 2-6 (22-0), 3. Malaysia 3-3 (5-13), 4. Thailand 2-1 (2-18), 5. Singapore 3-1 (2-22).

Pool B:
Chinese Taipei – Japan 0-12

Ranking: 1. Japan 2-6 (26-0), 2. Korea 2-6 (25-0), 3. Chinese Taipei 2-0 (0-19), 4. Hong Kong 2-0 (0-32).

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