Japan-North Korea women’s Olympic football qualifier moved to Saudi Arabia

The first of two Olympic qualifying games between Japan and North Korea in women’s football has been moved to Jeddah, the Asian Football Confederation has announced. (AP)
Short Url
Updated 20 February 2024
Follow

Japan-North Korea women’s Olympic football qualifier moved to Saudi Arabia

  • Japanese officials say there are too few flights to North Korea for its fans
  • Match to be played on Saturday in Saudi Arabia

TOKYO: The first of two Olympic qualifying games between Japan and North Korea in women’s football, to determine a berth in this year’s Paris Olympics, has been moved from North Korea to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, the Asian Football Confederation has announced.
The governing body of football in Asia moved the match after Japanese officials said there were too few flights to North Korea for its fans.
The match is to be played on Saturday in Saudi Arabia with the game in Tokyo set for Feb. 28.
The top team over the two matches will secure an Olympic berth. The other Olympic berth from Asia will go to either Australia or Uzbekistan. Only 12 teams advance to the Olympics in women’s football.


Pitching masterclass leads Mid East Falcons to series-saving win over Mumbai Cobras

Updated 59 min 41 sec ago
Follow

Pitching masterclass leads Mid East Falcons to series-saving win over Mumbai Cobras

  • Abu Dhabi and India franchises will meet on Sunday night in Baseball United Season 1 championship-decider

DUBAI: Kazuki Yabuta struck out eight and allowed only four hits and one run in 6.1 innings, and Haru Yoshioka had a perfect 2.2 relief with seven strikeouts, including a Fire Ball strikeout to end the game, to give Mid East Falcons a 5-1 win over Mumbai Cobras and tie the United Series (1-1).

Gregori Cano went 2-for-3, with a solo home run in the third inning, and Munenori Kawasaki went 2-for-4 with one run scored and a one-run double that represented the beginning of Mid East’s four-run attack in the eighth inning.

Jake Hjelle went 1-for-3 with an RBI, which was the Falcons’ third run of the game. The other two runs came on consecutive walks with the Money Ball in play, resulting in two RBIs for Federico Celli.

On Sunday, Dec. 14, the third and final game of the United Series will take place at Baseball United Ballpark.

In other highlights, Chase Gearing took the loss after 3.1 innings of relief work, in which he allowed four hits, three earned runs, and two strikeouts.

Raul Shah went 1-for-3 with a solo home run, as the standout man in the Cobras offense.
Lord de Vera and Lou Helmig left three and two men on base, respectively, for a total of five at key moments in the game.