Asian Olympic Qualifiers

In order to qualify for the Madrid Olympic Games (for players under 23 years of age), Japan had to compete in the Asian Qualifiers. This qualifying tournament consisted of:

  • A preliminary round, that Japan did not have to play due to its seeding.
  • A first group stage (12 groups), with the winners of each group advancing to the second stage.
  • A second group stage (3 groups), with the winners of each group advancing to the Olympic Games. Japan, China and South Korea were the teams that earned the ticket to Madrid.

RESULTS AND STANDINGS:

In the first group stage Japan won easily every single game, both at home and away:

Standings - Stage 1

PosTeamPWDLFAGDPts
166002402418
2631205-510
3612308-85
46015011-111

Legend: P – Games Played, W – Games Won, D – Games Drawn, L – Games Lost, F – Goals For (scored), A – Goals Against (received), GD – Goal Difference, Pts – Points (3 per win, 1 per draw).

For the second group stage, Japan, after losing in Australia and drawing in Saudi Arabia, had to beat Australia at home by three or more goals in order to qualify for the Olympics:

Standings - Stage 2

PosTeamPWDLFAGDPts
164111651113
26411156913
3512224-25
45005013-130

PLAYERS DATA:

Top Scorer: Shun Nitta (Japan), at least four goals.

Top Assister: Taro Misaki (Japan), at least five assists.

Best Goalkeeper: Genzo Wakabayashi (Japan).

Top Goalkeepers

RankPlayerTeamPosition
1jpnPicture of Genzo WakabayashiWakabayashiJapan (U23)GK0.333
2jpnPicture of Ken WakashimazuWakashimazuJapan (U23)FW, GK0.805

In this link you have access to the stats of every player that participated in this the Asian Qualification Tournament for the Olympic Games.