Record-setting win for Japan seals main round berth after Asian derby

After two close-cut losses against Germany and Poland, Japan opened their account at the 2023 IHF Women’s World Championship, claiming the last main round spot available from Group F, with a 42:10 win over the Islamic Republic of Iran.

GROUP F
Japan vs Islamic Republic of Iran 42:10 (20:3)

The last four matches between the two sides were clearly dominated by Japan and the expectations were of a clear Japan win, after the first two matches brought the same result for the two Asian sides in Group F – two losses – yet Japan had a -3 goal difference, while the Islamic Republic of Iran had a -43 goal difference.

But it was Iran which scored the first goal, a historic moment for them, when Nastaran Koudzarifarahani opened the Asian team’s account after only 46 seconds. However, it was the only goal scored by them in the first 24 minutes of the match, with Japan powering to an unassailable 18:0 unanswered run, which prevented Iran to score for 23 minutes and one second.

The gap stayed at 17 goals until the end of the first half, as Japan had an average time for their attack of only 19 seconds, while their Asian counterparts had an attacking efficiency of 9%, with turnovers piling on for Iran and Japan goalkeeper Atsuko Baba boasting a 81% saving efficiency, with 13 shots stopped.

As Japan’s top scorer in the first two matches, centre back Natsuki Aizawa, dropped to the bench, the runners-up at the 2022 AHF Asian Women’s Handball Championship powered on with fast breaks, scoring 14 goals after claiming balls in defence, to open a 28-goal lead, 31:3, after 42 minutes.

Eventually, Japan sealed their largest-ever win at the IHF Women’s World Championship, 42:10, after an excellent performance, which saw the Asian side also score the largest number of goals in a single match at the IHF Women’s World Championship.

With their first win at Denmark/Norway/Sweden 2023, Japan progressed to the main round, where they will start with zero points, after their losses against Germany and Poland. The Asian side will face Denmark, Romania and the winner from the Serbia vs Chile tie.

On the other hand, the Islamic Republic of Iran are heading to the President’s Cup, where they will be still aiming to secure their maiden IHF Women’s World Championship, after conceding nine losses in a row now.

hummel Player of the Match: Atsuko Baba (Japan)