Briefings


Jan 29, 2012 01:57 Match Preview 5. China - Japan (January 29th, 12:30pm)
Match Preview 5. China - Japan (January 29th, 12:30pm)

Head-to-Heads
> The only previous Champions Trophy meeting between these teams came in 2008, when Japan saw China come back from behind three times to level the score (3-3).
> Goals in the 2008 CT encounter were scored by Toshie Tsukui (PS), Kaori Chiba (2) and Ren Ye, Zhou Wanfeng (PC) and Ma Yibo (PC).
> China have won their last three competitive matches against Japan, winning 1-0 in the 2009 Asia Cup Semifinal, 1-0 in the 2009 East Asian Games and 3-1 in the 2010 Asian Games.
> Japan’s last victory over China in competitive matches dates back to the 2007 Asia Cup Semifinal (2-1).
 
 
China
> China have taken on Asian teams five times before in CT competition winning 2, drawing 2 and losing 1.
> China are unbeaten in their last 4 CT encounters with Asian teams, since losing their first all-Asian encounter with Korea in 1991 (0-1).
> China converted 1 of 4 PC’s awarded (25%) in their opening match against The Netherlands.
> At last year’s CT in Amstelveen China converted 6 from 19 penalty corners (32%).
> China's all-time top scorer in CT competition Ma Yibo is on 19 CT career goals. All of Ma Yibo's Champions Trophy goals came from penalty corners.
> Ma Yibo is level with Alejandra Gulla (ARG) and Natascha Keller (GER) on the all-time top scorer table on 19 goals. Only four players have scored more CT goals: Nadine Ernsting-Krienke (22), Maartje Paumen (21), Jackie Pereira (21), Noel Barrionuevo (20) and Soledad Garcia (20).
> China’s Gao Lihua holds the record for most cards shown in Champions Trophy history. In 49 CT matches Gao received a total of 9 cards (3 yellow and 6 green). Argentina’s Luciana Aymar in on 8 cards (1yellow – 7 green).
 
 
Japan
> Japan are the only 2012 CT team that is still to qualify for the Olympic Games in London. Japan aim to win their ticket to the Olympics in an Olympic Qualifier in Kakamigahara, Japan from April 25 - May 6.
> Japan are ranked 9th on the FIH Worlds Ranking and are the lowest ranked team present at the 2012 Champions Trophy. From the top 9 ranked teams on the FIH Worlds Ranking, only Australia (7th) are not participating at Rosario 2012.
> Japan have participated twice before in CT competition finishing 5th in 2007 and 6th in 2008.
> Japan were promoted to the Champions Trophy by winning the 2011 Champions Challenge. Only 1 of 5 previous Champions Challenge winners managed to win a medal in the following CT tournament – Germany claimed silver in 2004.
> Japan lost their opening match 3-0 to Great Britain. It marked their first CT match in 4 years.
> Japan’s last two CT goals were scored by Kaori Fujio (née Chiba). She netted twice in Japan’s 3-3 draw vs China almost 4 years ago on 24 May 2008.
> Kaori Fujio celebrates her 31st birthday today.
> Japan are on 0 for 2 in terms of penalty corners awarded at Rosario 2012.
> At age 41, Japan’s Akemi Kato is the oldest player at the 2012 Champions Trophy. She is older than Korean coach Lim Jung-Woo (34) and Dutch coach Max Caldas (38) and is the same age as GB coach Danny Kerry (41).