AFC Women’s Asian Cup: Super sub Wang spurs China

A brace from substitute Wang Dandan helped China secure a place in the final of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup as the defending champions battled back from a goal down to defeat Japan 3-1 at Thong Nhat Stadium on Thursday.

Wang Dandan celebrates one of her two goals in China’s come-from-behind semi-final victory over Japan.

Japan had been the better side in the first half and deservedly took the lead a minute into the second period through Homare Sawa.

But China refused to give in and turned the game on its head when Wang first equalised in the 61st minute and then struck again six minutes later.

Han Duan completed the stunning turnaround in the 74th minute when she fired into the empty net.

The result means China will meet DPR Korea in the final as they look to make a successful defence of their Asian Cup title.

Japan had started well and had their first foray into their opponents half in the ninth minute when Shinobu Ohno found space on the edge of the area and though her effort had goalkeeper Zhang Yan-ru scrambling, it was always going wide.

Mizuho Sakaguchi fired wide after some good football from Japan just before the break whileChina had a penalty appeal waved away on the stroke of half time when Han tumbled in the box.

But it was Japan who made the breakthrough in the 46th minute when Sawa held off the attention of a defender on the right of the area before firing a smart shot from a tight angle into the back of the net.

Four minutes later the post denied Japan going further ahead when Aya Miyama’s in-swinging corner hit the woodwork.

China were struggling to deal with their opponent’s swift attacks and Zhang made a fine point-blank save from Ohno in the 55th minute.

It proved crucial as they hauled themselves back into the game six minutes later.

Pu Wei’s pass inside the box found substitute Wang six yards from goal and though her shot hit the bottom of the post, the ball bounced off the goalkeeper and into the net.

And in the 67th minute China stunned Japan by taking the lead as Zhang Ying broke down the right before squaring a pass to the unmarked Wang who side-footed into the net.

Shang Ruihua’s side continued to pour forward in search of a third and that duly arrived in the 74th minute when Xu Yuan’s cross evaded the goalkeeper and fell for Han who smashed home from close range.

The goals clearly disrupted Japan as they struggled to create chances before full-time asChina keep alive their hopes of a second successive Asian Cup title.