Sunday, April 23, 2023

Japan, India set for Asia 7s final

 

Japan and India set themselves up for a rematch to determine the inaugural BPI AIA Asia 7s champion.

The two will face off after they won their respective semifinal assignments on Saturday at McKinley Hill Stadium in Taguig.

The former booked its spot in the final with a 6-1 victory over Brunei, whilst the latter clawed their way to a 4-3 win over the Philippines.

Japan went ahead four minutes into the match with a goal from Shohei Agata, doubling it at the 23rd minute thanks to Takaharu Nagata.

Brunei would pull one back in the second half, as Danish Alfian intercepted a pass from Itsuki Yamada and sent it past keeper Shunya Okita in the 35th minute.

Japan, however, responded with Agata scoring twice in a couple of minutes to net his hat trick.

Ryusei Okuma and Tomoya Sekina capped off scoring as they earned the first finals spot.

In contrast to the first semifinal, India had to go through the ringer to earn the other spot.

The Philippines, bolstered by the presence of Bienvenido Maranon, wasted no time taking advantage of the presence of the star striker.

After scoring four goals in their 11-1 demolition of Brunei in their last elimination round matchup, the former United City Football Club striker put the hosts ahead 2-0 after ten minutes, a couple of minutes after MJ Libre opened the scoring.

India found their legs and equalized with a couple of Johnson D'Silva goals in a span of three minutes, tying things up at 2-2 after 23 minutes.

Dean Ebarle retook the lead early in the second half, as his 27th minute strike made it 3-2 Philippines, but India found an answer with ten minutes remaining in the game, as Clinton D'Souza tied things again at 3-3.

D'Silva would cap off the match with a golden goal clincher in the first half of added time, allowing India to steal the win and the second finals berth.

The final is a rematch of their final elimination round duel, which Japan won, 5-1. Kickoff is set at 5pm at McKinley Hill Stadium. The Philippines and Brunei will face off in the third place game at 330pm.

Both matches will be streamed live on the TapGo TV application.

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