HANOI (11 Sept 2014) – An early goal set the pace before a second puts Japan into the final of the AFF Nutifood Cup 2014. The Japanese, who has had to come back from behind in two previous matches did not have to suffer such drama as they struck twice in the first half for a hard fought 2-1 win over Thailand in the first semi-finals this evening at the My Dinh National Stadium.
Coach Suzuki Masakazu said afterwards that Japan did not play their usual game considering the quality of the Thai side.
“The weather was a big factor in how we played today,” said Suzuki. “We don’t want to risk too much under the heat so we had to play a careful game against the Thais.”
While Thailand pressed hard at the start, it was Japan who grabbed the lead where after just three minutes in, Okugawa Masaya slammed in a freekick that was well beyond the reach of Thai keeper Rattanai Songsangchan.
From then on, Japan were comfortable enough to let Thailand do all the attacking as they defended in numbers and relied more on the counter-attacks through the wiles of midfielder Kaneko Shota.
Thailand kept piling on the pressure and should have nailed the equaliser on 12 minutes but Nopphon Phonkam’s effort was thwarted by the outstretched palm of Japanese custodian Yoshimaru Kenshin.
With Japanese putting up a wall in front of the goal, it was Thailand who fell further behind when a far flung cross from the left was slotted hole by Nakano Masaomi.
The score remained to Japan’s advantage well into the second half with several skirmishes requiring a heavy hand from referee Suhaizi Shukri.
In the 56th minute, Thailand were again presented with a golden chance but after robbing the ball from the Japanese defence, Sittichok Kannoo just missed the target even after having Yoshimaru well beaten.
And with Japan already sniffing an imminent place in the final, a late concession of a goal three minutes to the end, from Sittichok gave scant consolation to the Thais.
“That early goal disrupted our concentration,”’ admitted Thai coach Sasom Pobprasert. “And we recovered just a little too late.”
SEMI-FINALS RESULTS
11 Sept 2014
Japan 2 Thailand 1
Myanmar 1 Vietnam 4
FIXTURES
13 Sept 2014
Third and Fourth Placing: Thailand vs Myanmar
Final: Japan vs Vietnam
