The following day after the victory in their semi-final, Nadeshiko Japan made the final adjustments in Incheon in the one-day break before the final against Korea DPR.
They held a meeting using the opponent’s match video before they started training on the ground. They did some passing practice in two groups - one with the players, who played in the previous match for a long time and the other with ones, who were mainly on the bench. In the end all the players participated in exercises on the pitch without using the ball, ran through some set pieces and finished their one-hour training session.

Nadeshiko Japan will play against Korea DPR in the final for the third time in a row at the Asian Games. In 2006, the match stayed 0-0 until the last whistle and Japan lost on penalty kicks to take the second place. In 2010, Nadeshiko Japan saved the one-goal lead, which was scored by Iwashimizu, and won the game 1-0. Nadeshiko Japan won the championship in Asia for the first time. They have not conceded any goals in 10 consecutive matches in the Asia Games since the final in 2006 and in seven consecutive matches in the AFC Woman's Asian Cup. So they are eager to keep a clean sheet in the coming final.

Korea DPR are banned from participating in the AFC Women's Asian Cup 2014 and the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada due to a doping violation at the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup. We expect they are desperate to win, thinking of the Olympics in 2016 and their future.
Nadeshiko Japan have been focusing on the outcome of games, sharing their playing style with younger teammates. Sasaki, the head coach, noted: ‘this is our advantage as a team for the World Cup’.
The final will kick-off at 20:00 on Wednesday 1 October. It will be a big challenge to become the first ever back-to-back champions.

Comments

SASAKI Norio, Head Coach
We’ve only got a one-day break, but it’s the same for the opponent. Korea DPR got through to the final, winning against China and Korea Republic, and they are in great condition. The Korea DPR women’s national team is very strong with highly skilled individual players. It’s up to how much we can play our style against the opponent’s positive momentum. Although I expect it’s going to be a tough game from the beginning, I’d like to stay determined to react their power and speed, looking for a chance to break their defences with a swift move on the loose ball. I’d like to get a gold medal.

MIYAMA Aya（Okayama Yunogo Belle）
I’d like to bring everything that we’ve gained as a team in the game. However we play, we must win. All we have to do is just play. I think Korea DPR have their own distinctive game. It’s vital not to let them play in their way, by getting ready and predicting their next move. I just want to win the championship and bring the gold medal back to Japan, as we’ve come this far.

IWASHIMIZU Azusa（Nippon Television Beleza）
As Korea DPR is much faster than the other teams against whom we've played in this championship, I will stay very cautious especially in the first 30 minutes of the game in order not to concede a goal. In today’s training session, we shared how to react to the opponent’s system.
At the Asian Games four years ago, I scored the winning goal through a set piece with Miyama, just like at the AFC Woman's Asian Cup last May. Our kicker, Miyama, is the best compared to any players in other teams. This is our advantage. I’d be happy if I can assist or score the goal and I’d like to contribute to the team’s victory.

TAKASE Megumi（INAC Kobe）
Although I expect a tough game against Korea DPR, it will bring us more confidence as a team if we win this match. I will get myself ready, keeping in mind the opponent’s character and skills. Personally, I will stay alert about what I can change, when I find some issues. As I haven’t played a big role yet in this championship, I’d like to get a good result in the match, which decides the champion, before going back to Japan.

Match Schedule