The defending champion Japan displayed elegant passes and pushed the China PR team hard, making its seventh consecutive win in the EAFF East Asian Cup. China PR team's defense-oriented tactics, with firm midfield and backline defense, made the game difficult for Japan during the earlier part of the game. The game began to shift, however, after an impressive first goal by Kozue Ando 10 minutes before half-time. Ando and Ogimi's skillful passplay broke through China PR's tight defenses. From the first goal onwards, Japan took the lead and secured victory by scoring its second goal about 12 minutes into the second half. Emi Nakajima took on the ball from Ogimi, who also assisted the first goal in the match, and shot an outstanding left-foot kick into China PR's goalposts. After Nagazima's goal, the Japanese team gave not a chance for China PR to react, ending the game effortlessly in victory.