Latest news with #EastAsianCup
The Star
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Star
China beats Chinese Taipei in women's East Asian Cup
HWASEUNG, South Korea, July 13 (Xinhua) -- Shao Ziqin scored twice to help China secure a dramatic 4-2 win over Chinese Taipei in the second round of the women's 2025 EAFF E-1 Football Championship here on Sunday. China took an early lead after eight minutes, when Shao struck a rebound after her initial header had hit the crossbar. In the 16th minute, Shen Mengyu doubled the advantage with a goal following a corner kick. After the break, Chinese Taipei mounted a counterattack. Su Yu-hsuan and Chen Yu-chin each found the net to level the score at 2-2. With the match hanging in the balance, China regained the lead in the 82nd minute as Wang Yanwen unleashed a long-range strike to make it 3-2. In stoppage time, Zhang Linyan delivered a pinpoint cross that Shao converted with a header, completing her brace and sealing China's 4-2 victory. China head coach Ante Milicic said afterwards that his team were in control for most of the match. "I haven't got any accurate statistics, but I'd say at least 75% [possession]. I'm sure we have at least 20 shots towards goal," he said. "But definitely there was a period in the second half over ten to 15 minutes where we didn't show the mentality of a strong team. We let our opponents back into the game, and that might [have made] the last part of the game a lot more difficult," Milicic admitted. "We didn't underestimate the opponent, but definitely, there was a ten- to 15-minute period where we didn't concentrate. We were too relaxed, that really hurt us during today's game," he added. Shao told Xinhua after the game: "The team showed strong attacking intent today, but we need to stay more focused after taking the lead. In the next match, we must prioritize solid defense and then push forward with our offense." In the other match of the day, Japan and South Korea played out a 1-1 draw. The East Asian Cup tournament is a four-team mini-league where each team plays the others once. Rankings are determined by total points, followed by head-to-head results, goal difference and goals scored. The women's tournament at the 2025 East Asian Cup features four teams: China, Japan, South Korea and Chinese Taipei. After two rounds, China and Japan both sit on four points, followed by South Korea on two points from two draws and Chinese Taipei, who has lost both matches. On July 16, the final match day of the tournament, China will face Japan and Chinese Taipei will take on South Korea.
The Star
08-07-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Hong Kong, China loses to Japan in East Asian Cup
YONGIN, South Korea, July 8 (Xinhua) -- Japan secured a 6-1 victory over Hong Kong, China in the 2025 EAFF E-1 Football Championship, also known as the East Asian Cup, here on Tuesday. The reigning champion opened the scoring just four minutes into the match when forward Ryo Germain found the net with a scissor kick volley. He scored four goals within 26 minutes, completing an impressive four-goal haul. In the 20th minute, Sho Inagaki added to Japan's tally with a powerful long-range strike. Hong Kong, China pulled one back in the 59th minute when Matt Orr headed home, marking the team's return to scoring at the East Asian Cup after 22 years. In stoppage time, Sota Nakamura scored Japan's sixth to complete the rout. The 2025 East Asian Cup is slated from July 7 to 16 in Suwon and Yongin of South Korea's Gyeonggi Province, featuring four men's teams: China, Japan, South Korea, and Hong Kong, China. Hong Kong, China will face host South Korea in their next match on Friday.
The Star
06-07-2025
- Sport
- The Star
China's caretaker manager eyes East Asian Cup as start of new cycle
YONGIN, South Korea, July 6 (Xinhua) -- China's national men's football team caretaker manager Dejan Djurdjevic said on Sunday that he hopes the upcoming East Asian Cup will mark a good start for the team's new cycle, with new players coming into the roster. The 2025 EAFF E-1 Football Championship, also known as the East Asian Cup, will be held from July 7 to 16 in Suwon and Yongin of South Korea's Gyeonggi Province. China plays its first match against host South Korea on Monday. Speaking at the pre-match press conference, Djurdjevic said the East Asian Cup would offer his players a good competitive environment against Asia's top teams, such as Japan and South Korea. "Such strong opponents will fully test our players and show how our new team performs," he said. Facing a short preparation period, Djurdjevic said, "One of my relative advantages is that I coached China's Asian Games and U-19 teams before, and many players in this team were my students, so many of them are already well known to me." On June 27, the Chinese Football Association announced Djurdjevic's appointment as caretaker manager to lead the team in the East Asian Cup. Djurdjevic had previously coached China's men's Asian Games team in 2023 and was appointed head coach of China's U-19 men's team in January 2024. China forward Zhang Yuning said that with veteran players leaving, young players joining and a coaching change, the team is now undergoing a transitional phase, and hopes to take the East Asian Cup as an opportunity to strengthen their cohesion. "Our goal is definitely to prepare for the next World Cup and to build better teamwork. As a senior player, I will do my best to serve the team, try my best to play a bridging role, and help young players quickly fit into the team while creating more chances for them to demonstrate their talent," Zhang said.
