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| AFC Women’s Asian Cup |
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| Sasaki sets sights on Olympics |
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| Head coach Norio Sasaki hopes Japan can build on their AFC Women's Asian Cup form as they turn their attention to the 2008 Olympics. |
HO CHI MINH CITY - Coach Norio Sasaki believes Japan’s participation in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup will stand them in good stead for the Olympics in August.
The East Asians cemented a third-place finish in the tournament on Sunday after defeating Australia 3-0 at Thong Nat Stadium.
Yuki Nagasato opened the scoring early in the first half before late strikes from Aya Miyama and Homare Sawa ensured they finished their campaign on a high.
And Sasaki believes the Asian Cup has been an invaluable experience for his players.
“We didn’t start the game (against Australia) too well as we struggled with the conditions of the pitch as well as our own physical condition,” he said.
“But we stayed calm and played the ball as we wanted to do and kept our rhythm and we got the opening goal.
“In the second half we kept our rhythm and didn’t panic and that is why we won the game.
“We now look towards the Olympics and I believe this tournament has been good for our players.
“The younger players have grown with the experience while it has also improved the consistency of our older players.”
Japan missed out on a place in the final after suffering a 3-1 defeat to defending champions China.
They had taken the lead in that game but three goals in a 15 minute spell ensured the Steel Roses progressed at their expense.
“After the defeat to China we spent a lot of time in training working on staying calm and that showed up in our performance,” added Sasaki.
“Their height was our main fear and we just wanted to avoid giving away corners, we were not so concerned with their speed but just the heading ability of their players.
Australia coach Tom Sermanni had no complaints about the result although stressed it was also going to be difficult for his side after their preparations for the tournament were disrupted with injuries to key players.
“It was a fair result,” said the Scot.
“We started well but we gave away a cheap opening goal and then struggled to get back into the game after that.
“Japan then went on to dominate from then and for most of the second half and I believe we wilted in the heat towards the end.
“I believe the team’s lack of preparation before the tournament probably cost us in the end but given the conditions and the fact that it was their fifth game in nine days the players did well.”
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