By Chris McAsey
Japan has won the inaugural AFL Asia Cup after a powerful display of team football at Thanh Long Sports Center in Ho Chi Minh City.
The Japanese were the standout team over three days of completion, with a balanced mix of athletic talls, a tough and disciplined defence and mercurial small and medium forwards.
Japan’s Rinto Kijima heads for goal.
They finished the tournament undefeated, but were tested several times, by Cambodia in a first round match and India in a semi final. Each time though, the Japanese were able to stick to their structure and regain their composure.
It all came together for Japan in the Grand Final against Cambodia, who won through to the final after a taxing semi-final win over Indonesia. They were never seriously challenged by an undermanned Cambodian who had a much tougher run through the early rounds.
Japan’s Hayata Ono – who was named in the All-Asia team – gets a kick away in the Grand Final.
Japan played high quality football to kick six goals in a first quarter that knocked the wind out of Cambodia. Japan was never seriously challenged after that, running out winners and champions 17.9.111 to 3.2.20.
Star forward Rinto Kijima kicked three goals in the first quarter and gave one off just before quarter time to give Japan a dream start. It looked ominous for Cambodia with Japan’s size, skill and system overwhelming Cambodia’s run and gun.
There is serious talent in this Japanese team. Kijima – who has only played footy for two years – is a gifted and natural footballer. His reading of the ball in flight, timing and ball handling is elite. Equally dangerous in the air and on the ground, he was almost unstoppable one-out.
He combined beautifully with fellow dangerous small/medium forwards Hiroki Mita and Haruto Watanabe to complete a formidable forward line.
Livewire Japanese forward Hiroki Mita.
Some of Japan’s lesser lights also shone in the Grand Final, including blonde-tipped tough nut Kouki Ariga who was named MVP. Ariga was clean overhead and his contested work set up multiple opportunities for team mates.
Captain Yuji Yamamoto was also influential around the ground, and kicked several long bomb goals to put icing on the cake.
Cambodian star Veasna Leak, who has carried a heavy midfield load throughout the tournament, was forced to ruck early against much bigger Japanese opponents. Japan focused on pressuring Cambodia’s number-one playmaker and it severely impacted his customary ability to break lines.
That in turn cut off supply to the competition’s leading goal kicker, Cambodia’s Boree Kieng, who was starved of opportunities. Veteran captain Nas Nan was busy and hardworking as usual but lacked support in the midfield.
Other solid performers for Cambodia were key defender Longchivorn Barn, who gave his team a lift when he went into the ruck, and tough-as-nails half back Seavfong Khoun.
India gives Japan a scare in semi-final
In the Japan v India semi-final earlier, it was India who jumped out of the blocks, kicking four goals to one in the first quarter.
An early goal to big forward Rohan Hindalekar was followed by a long left foot goal by the rangy SK Rakesh.
India gave Japan an almighty scare early in their semi-final.
Japan looked uncharacteristically hesitant with ball in hand, while India was playing with composure and transitioning well out of defence through athletic tall Oman Manki.
Japan came out with more purpose in the second quarter, getting the ball in long to give their dangerous forwards opportunities one-out.
It was that man Rinto Kijima who kick-started the Japanese fightback, finishing well after an excellent centring pass. India had been exiting their back half with ease, but Japan upped the pressure and it led to team-lifting turnover goals to Kijima and to Taiki Osawa.
Suddenly, Japan was in the lead and they were never headed again. By three-quarter time their lead had ballooned to 40 points and they ran out winners 12.9.81 to 6.2.32 – an incredible turnaround after trailing by three goals at quarter time.
Cambodia outlasts Indonesia in semi-final
In the other semi-final, Cambodia got over the top of Indonesia after a brave fightback.
In blistering midmorning heat, both sides came out steamed up, with Cambodia a little over-exuberant, giving away unnecessary free kicks – an absolute killer in the 9-a-side format.
Veteran Cambodian captain Nas Nan worked tirelessly for his team.
Indonesia’s sharp use of handball was a highlight again, getting players into space to launch attacks. Cambodia was bringing its trademark pressure but broke down going forward, with star forward Boree Kieng well held early by Indonesian full back Antoni Yakobus.
Indonesia led 4.2 – 2.0 at quarter time, before Cambodian’s star duo – midfielder Veasna Leak and Kieng got off the chain. They combined for two goals in quick succession to even the ledger, before a clever tap from stoppage set up a third goal to Kieng in 3 minutes.
Veteran captain Nas Nan was also exerting an influence around the ball as Cambodia got into its stride.
The commitment from both teams was exhilarating to watch and half time gave everyone the opportunity to take a breath, with Cambodia leading 5.1 – 4.3.
Indonesia’s Gilding Saputo is closely checked by Cambodia’s Veasna Leak.
Kieng and Leak combined again when the second half got underway, but this time it was Leak on the end off it. He got smashed in an attempted spoil but got up and kicked the goal.
The momentum shifted again with two goals to Indonesia, one after a great gather and snap by Hariyanto Hariyanto. Cambodia’s lead had been reduced to 1 point by three-quarter time and it looked like Indonesia might run over the top.
It was goal for goal early in the last quarter with tension high in both camps, before great pressure and team play by Wanpimol Wetherell got the ball to Kieng, who kicked truly. It gave Cambodia some breathing space and they managed to hang on for a 10-point win, 59 – 49.
