MUSCAT, DEC 11
Japan thrashed South Korea 4-0 to all but ensure the semifinals of the Women’s Junior Asia Cup hockey championship at the Hockey Oman Stadium in Al Amerat on Wednesday.
Niko Maruyama netted a hat-trick (29th minute, 41-penalty corner, 54th) and Mai Wakasa (38th) scored one goal in the crucial Pool B match.
With their third consecutive win in as many matches, Japan topped Pool B with nine points and meet Chinese Taipei in their last group match on Thursday. A defeat in the last match will also see Japan through unless a huge win margin by Chinese Taipei (7) to overhaul Japanese goal difference of 32.
Chinese Taipei, who smashed Sri Lanka 5-0, kept their hopes alive for a semifinal place with six points behind South Korea who are second with same points and a better goal average (11).
Ting-ya Wang (20-pc), Yu-Ting Huang (21, 57-pc), Yu-Chiu Wang (23) and Hui-Yun Fan (34) were the scorers for the Taipei team.
Korea face Hong Kong, who have three points, in their last pool match on Thursday. The Koreans need to win the match by keeping their advantage in goal difference compared to Chinese Taipei, for ensuring a place in the semifinals.
Sri Lanka finished the group proceedings with their fourth defeat and no points.
In Pool A, Bangladesh also suffered their fourth defeat to remain in the bottom of the pool with no points as Malaysia kept semifinal hopes alive with a 6-1 win. Malaysia, who are third in Pool A, have six points from three matches and face China in their last group match on Thursday.
China lead Pool A with six points from two matches and a better goal difference (27) compared to India who have same points and a goal difference of 17.
On Tuesday, Thailand beat Bangladesh 2-1 to earn their first win in Pool A while Hong Kong beat Sri Lanka 2-0 to get first points in Pool B.
Oman Observer is now on the WhatsApp channel. Click here
