The East Asian Women’s Football Championships 2010 Finals Competition will determine the winner among East Asia countries and regions. The final match will be held in Ajinomoto Stadium in Tokyo. The first match will see the Japanese women’s team competing with the women’s team from China PR. In 2008, Japan won China PR by a score of 2-0 to take the championship.

The head coach of the China PR team, SHANG Ruihua, commented that both teams used their own unique game strategies, along with high level of ball control and passing techniques. The attack mechanisms of both teams were sealed off by severe pressure from the frontline defense. The Japanese team was relentless in their attack and defense, creating an intense and high paced game for their opponent. In the 1st minute, Japanese midfielder, SAWA Homare, stole the ball in the middle of the field and passed through to forward, OHNO Shinobu, who attempted for the goal with a left-foot kick. The Chinese team was more cautious in their attack but their plan was foiled by midfielders, SAWA Homare and UTSUGI Rumi, by passing it to forwards, OHNO Shinobu and YAMAGUCHI Mami.

19 minutes into the game, Japan scored the first goal. Japanese midfielder, MIYAMA Aya, scored the goal by taking a quick free kick to the left post, while catching the Chinese goalkeeper unaware. The scoring ball was non-rotating to make it a fast kick.

Chinese forwarder, HAN Duan and left midfielder, MA Xiaoxu, attempted to create a shot for a score. In the 28th minute, MA Xiaoxu passed the ball to midfielder, PANG Fengyue, who went for a shot with her left feet. In the 39th minute, another midfielder, BI Yan, captain of the team, attempted a free kick to deliver ball to the front. Forward, HAN Duan headed the ball but was not successful in her attempt.

After the game, Japanese head coach, SASAKI Norio, commented that their win is due to good stamina and the quick reaction from a defense to attack strategy. The second half of the match was dominated by the Japanese team with strong possession of the ball. In the 7th minute of the second half, Sawa sent the ball to MIYAMA AYA on the left side. OHNO Shinobu, in the middle then received the ball from MIYAMA Aya who then passed it to UTSUGI Rumi. UTSUGI Rumi then shot the ball with her right feet. Chinese head coach, SHANG Ruihua, commented that he has high expectations for XU Yuan who is highly skilled in dribbling and shooting with her left feet. However, Japan was dominating the game throughout and China PR did not have any chance to capitalize on the advantage in Xu YUAN. In the 16th minute of the second half, Ustugi tried to send a pass from the left side but it was stolen by a Chinese defender, who tried to send it to the front. However, defender, KINGA Yukari, stole the ball and speedily went for the goal and successfully scored the second goal.

In order to make up for the 2 lost points, China PR brought up two players, HAN Duan and MA Xiaoxu, to the forward to create a more offensive formation. Nonetheless, 19-years old LI Danyang, who is strong in defense, managed to hold off Japan from scoring their third goal of the game. In the 20th minute of the second half, 16-years old forward, IWABUCHI Mana, was sent into the game for the first game in her career. Her play was filled with high expectations. Although China PR is powerful throughout the game, Japan has a better organized defense strategy and faster speed. Eventually, China PR only managed 4 shots in the game with Japan winning the match with a score of 2-0. This match, the second consecutive win, is a positive start for Japan in the East East Asian Women’s Football Championships 2010 Finals Competition.