Japan win men's and women's double at 2022 EAFF E-1 Final

July 29: Japan completed a men's and women's double by winning the finals of both East Asian Football Federation (EAFF) 2022 championships.

Japan needed to beat South Korea to top the standings in the four-team league final in a draw. Japan beat Hong Kong 6-0 and drew 0-0 with China in their previous matches. South Korea beat both.

The victory meant Japan took the title for the second time while Korea Republic did not add a sixth to their tally.

Japan dominated the Koreans early on with Korean goalkeeper Jo Hyeon-woo keeping the Koreans in the game in the first and 33rd minutes with key saves, while striker Yuki Soma's low shot hit the post in the 19th minute.

However, Japan increased the power in the second half with three unanswered goals. Soma was on the scoresheet four minutes into the second half when his header found the back of the net off a cross from midfielder Joel Chima Fujita. Soma then turned provider as Sho Sasaki headed home in the 63rd minute. Shuto Machino completed the victory 10 minutes.

China beat Hong Kong 1-0 earlier Wednesday for third place. Japanese women get in shape

In the women's final, Japan entered the final match of the tournament needing only a draw with AFC India 2022 Women's Asian Cup winners China to win the 2022 EAFF E-1 Women's Football Championship.

It was sweet revenge for the Japanese who lost to China in the Asian Cup semi-finals.

China entered the final game two points behind Japan after beating Chinese Taipei but only drawing against South Korea. Japan had won their previous two matches.

The 0-0 draw was enough for the Japanese in a close game to give them their fourth title and deprive China of their first. Korea Republic finished third after a 4-0 win over Chinese Taipei.

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