Following the rest day for the last four teams yesterday, the final day of the 17th Asian Women’s Championship finished earlier today in Kumamoto, Japan.
Starting off the day was the 3/4 placement match with China, coached by German Jorn-Uwe Lommel, beating Kazakhstan 27:21 (13:11). The lead switched hands numerous times during first half, but China, using a quick-paced 3-2-1 defence took the half-time initiative. Lei Zhou and Yan Huang top-scored for the Chinese with six goals apiece.
The main event though was the final between host nation Japan and the continental record-breakers Korea. Over 3,000 fans packed into the Kumamoto Prefecture Gymnasium for the last game of the championship which is also a test event for the 2019 IHF Women’s World Championship next December.
It was the host nation who got off to a perfect start as Ulrik Kirkely’s side took a one-goal advantage into the half-time pause (15:14). But Korea came back to outscore their rivals 16:10 in the second period and retain the title they won in 2016, 30:25.
Left-hander Eunhee Ryu was outstanding for the Koreans, scoring 11 times as the Japanese defence could not contain the Korean attacking flair with the damage done from the 32nd-40th minute where they scored seven unanswered goals in a blistering eight-minute spell.
For a review and results of previous rounds, click HERE, HERE and HERE.
Match Results
Sunday 9 December
Bronze Medal Match: KAZ vs CHN 21:27 (11:13)
Gold Medal Match: KOR vs JPN 30:25 (14:15)
Final Ranking
1 – Korea*
2 – Japan*
3 – China*
4 – Kazakhstan*
5 – Australia*
6 – Iran
7 – Hong Kong
8 – India
9 – Singapore
10 – New Zealand
*Top four teams qualify for the 2019 IHF Women’s World Championship, to be held in Japan in December. As hosts, Japan have already qualified, so the next available spot qualifies, in this case, Australia in fifth.
Photos: Asian Handball Federation