Chonburi: China PR and Japan must brush off the disappointment of semi-final defeats and perform in a high-stakes AFC U-16 Women’s Championship third place play-off, which will send the winning team to the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup 2018 in Uruguay.
Chinese head coach Gao Hong said her players were still coming to terms with their 1-0 loss to DPR Korea, but backed them to learn from the defeat.
“I think they’re still not fully recovered, and they’re still upset, still trying to understand it,” she said.
“But our team will be better after playing against DPR Korea. Playing against those teams gives more value, more feedback, more experience.”
After scoring 15 goals in the group stage, China PR failed to make a dent in the DPR Korea defence – something Hao believes her side must overcome if they are to challenge Japan, who she admits are unexpected opponents.
“Our attack is what we’re working on. (Our ineffectiveness in the front third) is mental. We need to learn from it,” she said.
“I thought that we would play Korea Republic, but I know that Japan also have a weakness in their mentality, and also physically.”
Her opposite number, Japanese head coach Naoki Kusunose, is also among those who was surprised to see the three-time winners miss the final, but he insists his main goal – U-17 Women’s World Cup qualification – remains in play.
“We were disappointed in the penalty shootout (against Korea Republic), but we still have a chance to qualify, which is our original purpose. Therefore, we are not that disappointed,” he explained.
Kusunose is familiar with this Chinese squad, having met them in a 2-2 draw in Weifang in July, and he had words of praise for his East Asian rivals.
“I think China are a very good team. I also think that all the teams that came up to the final tournament are now at the same level,” he said.
“The level of Asian countries is growing rapidly. I think it is important to know the Asian standard and then to work on our daily training.”
China PR have never beaten Japan in the competition, but Gao outlined the importance of World Cup qualification – not just as a sporting achievement, but as a stepping stone her young players could use to develop on and off the pitch.
“For me, there’s only one reason I came back to football, and that is to help the girls to go out and reach the international stage and build their future,” she said.
“It’s very important for me to guide them and help them reach the World Cup, because they will have more opportunities in the future. If they play in the World Cup, the next step is things like American universities or clubs in Europe. That’s the reason I’m here.
“Our Chinese players need more international play, not just staying at home and playing against each other. They need to go out.
“It’s a really important step – not just for their football, but for their life, for their personal growth. They all need it. Personally, I experienced it, and I know how important it was for me.”
The Olympic and Women’s World Cup silver-medallist, who has used her glittering playing career to try to inspire her young squad, said that China PR’s success would be ultimately be measured by their courage.
“I trust (the team). I trust that they will play our way and they will push Japan,” she said.
“And if we lose, it’s okay – we gained something. We’re not afraid. I think that’s a life skill – not only a football skill.”
Japan v China PR: AFC U-16 Women’s Championship Head to Head
Year
Result
Stage
Venue
2007
Japan 1 China PR 1 (JPN won 3-1 on pens)
Final
Namhae, Korea Rep
2007
Japan 3 China PR 1
Semi-final
Shah Alam, Malaysia
2009
Japan 3 China PR 1
Group stage
Bangkok, Thailand
2011
Japan 3 China PR 0
Round Robin
Nanjing, China PR
Photos: AFC
Source: the-afc.com