Penalty hero rues empty seats as Games hosts Japan win football gold / Photo: STR - JIJI PRESS/AFP
-
Japan Olympic chief says 'lot more' athletes at Games than expected
-
North Korea fires ballistic missile after Seoul's apology demand
-
Asian carmakers besting US rivals at home, China poised to strike
-
US regulator finds Boeing 737 MAX software bug 'not a safety concern'
-
Widgets & Web Offers All-Inclusive Investor Relations Websites for Public Companies, IPOs and SPACs
-
Ohtani 'managing' injuries as Dodgers launch MLB post-season
-
Adams named new US captain to 2030 World Cup
-
Botched US execution leaves murderer unconscious on ventilator: lawyers
-
China a better influence in Latin America than US: poll
-
Cornell rape case exposes sexual violence at US colleges
-
Judge pauses construction of border project in Texas national park
-
France held by Italy in Zidane's homecoming after Olise stunner
-
Belgium's De Bruyne fires double to sink Turkey, France held by Italy
-
Ethiopian pro-government militia claims Tigray airport as regional tensions spike
-
US jobs data boosts stocks as oil prices dip
-
Ohtani shaking off injuries as Dodgers launch MLB post-season
-
US Supreme Court to hear high-stakes climate case
-
Sea levels to rise in California as coastal wave surges up west coast
-
Trump expected to name intel chief Clayton as AI czar: reports
-
New rallies urged in France as protests disrupt over 730 schools
-
Argentina unveils passports-for-investment scheme
-
Djokovic survives China Open scare, Sabalenka starts strong
-
Brazil election debate chaos sparks censorship row
-
King Charles to evoke colonial 'darkest days' on Caribbean tour
-
England's Carse charged by cricket body over nightclub incident
-
Tesla shares jump after global car sales top estimates
-
Amazon vows $1 bn for data center towns, decries 'myths'
-
DR Congo Ebola outbreak killed more than 4,000: official figures
-
Oil prices drop on G7 fuel release, US jobs data boosts stocks
-
Djokovic survives China Open scare against wildcard world no. 104
-
G7 agrees deal to ease global energy supply concerns
-
Lula, Bolsonaro trade blows in final scramble for votes in Brazil
-
Spain's government dealt blow as lawmakers reject housing bills
-
New clashes erupt as protests disrupt over 560 French schools
-
Food, medicine shortages deepen in Russian-occupied Oleshky
-
NY governor vows to close loophole after alleged Cornell gang rape
-
Man City whistleblower Rui Pinto facing 'dire consequences' - lawyers
-
Ethiopia Tigray rebels pushed back as regional tensions spike
-
Russia 'tearing Kyiv apart', mayor says, as strikes paralyse traffic
-
Stocks rise, yields fall as US job numbers disappoint
-
Taiwan boxer Lin wins Games gold as Japan edge North Korea on penalties
-
Man City verdict a 'big topic' for England players, says Tuchel
-
Japan tame North Korea to win Games gold after shootout drama
-
NY attorney general tasked with investigating alleged Cornell gang rape
-
US posts weak job growth data in September
-
China widens military footprint with Laos air base
-
Ethiopia's conflict: the regional dimension
-
G7 talks as US pressures Europe over diesel stocks
-
Life expectancy almost back to pre-Covid levels, says WHO
-
Man City launch appeal against explosive financial ruling
Penalty hero rues empty seats as Games hosts Japan win football gold
Penalty hero Yuzuho Shiokoshi hopes more people will come and watch Japanese women's football after the hosts won Asian Games gold in front of thousands of empty seats.
Just over 6,000 spectators saw Japan beat North Korea 5-3 on penalties in the final in Shizuoka that ended 2-2 after extra time.
The stadium, which hosted matches at the 2002 FIFA World Cup, has a capacity of 50,000.
The attendance on Friday night was at least better than their semi-final, when Japan beat South Korea in Shizuoka in front of 998 fans.
The Asian Games in Japan have been blighted by poor turnouts at many events, including the opening ceremony.
Shiokoshi, who scored the decisive fifth penalty against North Korea, said: "The crowd today might have been large for this tournament.
"But compared to last time (Hangzhou Asian Games in 2023) I feel like we're still not quite there.
"We're out there fighting hard and we want people to come and see us play in person.
"It's tough at times, given that women's football isn't always prioritised for TV broadcasts.
"But I hope this encourages more people to come and watch (Japanese domestic) WE League matches, and that it helps generate some excitement around the league."
Shiokoshi praised the 6,243 spectators who did come to watch the host side win a nail-biting gold, but added: "I hope that interest doesn't end here, but leads to fans coming to watch the WE League as well."
C.Garcia--AMWN
