Asako Takakura aims to push boundaries after AFC Women’s Asian Cup win | Football News - Hindustan Times
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Asako Takakura aims to push boundaries after AFC Women’s Asian Cup win

Reuters, Hong Kong | ByReuters
Apr 21, 2018 12:39 PM IST

After guiding Japan to the AFC Women’s Asian Cup title, head coach Asako Takahura has her eyes on next year’s World Cup

Asako Takakura, the Japanese national women’s team manager, has no intention of resting on her laurels after the side beat Australia to win their second successive Asian Cup crown on Friday and is already looking ahead to next year’s World Cup.

Japan's players celebrate with the trophy after winning the AFC Women's Asian Cup final against Australia at the King Abdullah II Stadium in the Jordanian capital Amman on Friday.(AFP)
Japan's players celebrate with the trophy after winning the AFC Women's Asian Cup final against Australia at the King Abdullah II Stadium in the Jordanian capital Amman on Friday.(AFP)

Kumi Yokoyama scored the only goal of the game six minutes from time in Jordan as Japan retained the title they won in 2014, when they also defeated the Australians in the final.

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“When I was a player, I was focused on myself to become the best player, but now as a coach I’m trying to help the players to develop and also trying to develop women’s football in Japan,” said Takakura.

“In this tournament we played in the Japanese way and won the title, and that gives us confidence, but I can go further and I must go further, so let’s see what happens.”

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Japan rode their luck to claim the title, with Elise Kellond-Knight seeing her 14th minute penalty saved by Ayaka Yamashita before substitute Yokoyama’s late winner ensured the trophy would be returning to Japan.

“We knew since the beginning that the match tonight would be the difficult one, and I believe it was a match worth watching and one of the best matches that Asia can show at this moment,” said Takakura.

“I’m proud to have such a great match against one of the best countries in Asia and in the world - Australia.”

Japan and Australia have both qualified for the Women’s World Cup finals in France next year, where they will be joined by China, Thailand and South Korea.

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