Maeda Ryoichi scored an equalizer in the 70th minute to give
Japan a 1-1 draw against DPR Korea at the third East Asian Football
Championship (EAFC) in Chongqing, Southwest China on Sunday.
Takeshi Okada, who led Japan as the head coach to World Cup in
1998 for the first time, again took over the position from Ivica
Osim who fell in the sickness at the end of last year.
Having missed the trophy twice with the results of runner-ups in
previous consecutive EAFC, Japan aims for the title this time.
Since EAFC competition is held during the preparation period of
qualifying for the next World Cup, the Korean team places a high
value on this event. With the cored players from four national
clubs in a solid unity of veteran and new generation, they embody
their fast and simple football with fighting spirit in today's
match.
The Korean gained a dream start as they broke the deadlock just
at the sixth minute. The 24-year-old forward Jong Tae Se burst past
two Japanese defenders and delivered a tricky low shot calmly to
contribute the first goal for his team.
Japan equalized in the 70th when forward Maeda Ryoichi jumped to
beat one defender in the air and scored with a powerful header down
to the dead corner after Korean's keeper failed to clear a low and
fast cross far away.
"Our players have done a brilliant job today as they fight to
the last minute of the match. It's really a pity that we only got a
draw not a victory," said Korean coach Kim Jong Hun after the
match, "However, we still have the chance to the title as we will
prepare carefully for the following two matches."
On next Wednesday, DPR Korea will meet South Korea which was the
same opponent of World Cup qualifier as both teams were selected in
the same group of the preliminary round.
"As many young players of our team came to play in China for the
first time, they didn't perform in their due form today. I hope in
next match against China, our players could get more used to the
atmosphere and stadium to play much better," said Japan's head
coach Takeshi Okada.
The third East Asian Football Championship opened officially at
the Olympic Center Sunday afternoon, wherein top four teams of the
region: host China, DPR Korea, Japan and South Korea are competing
for the title in a round-robin format.
In the earlier opening match, the host China was beaten 3-2 by
South Korea.
(Xinhua News Agency February 18, 2008)