Spain and Japan book semi-final berths
Spain thrash Tonga
Japan earn comeback win over Dominican Republic
JPN 6-2 DOM⎪TGA 0-8 ESP
THE DAY REPLAYED – There were no surprises on day five of the Women's Youth Olympic Futsal Tournament Buenos Aires 2018, as both Spain and Japan recorded victories to progress to the semi-finals.
There they join Portugal, who booked their place in the last four on Wednesday, and now have two more matches to fight for a medal.
The Main Futsal Hall provided the venue for both of the day's encounters and in the first match Japan fought back after going 2-0 down early on to beat a stubborn Dominican Republic side.
Alondra Collado's brace put the Dominicans ahead, but their lead was short-lived and Japan took a 4-2 advantage into the break. They subsequently controlled the tempo of the game to save energy for the latter stages of the tournament.
As was expected in the second game, Spain had little trouble dismantling Tonga, although they are not yet guaranteed top spot in the group.
Claudia Pons rested goalkeeper Silvia Garcia and captain Antia Perez in a match in which Yarima Miranda and Marta Lopez both scored twice.
Once again, the Tongans won the hearts of the crowd, thanks in large part to their performance of the Haka, which drew thundering applause from the stands.
Did you know?
Each of Japan's six goals was scored by a different player and so far no member of the Japanese team has hit the net more than four times.
Spain's Noelia de las Heras was on target again, taking her tally to seven and putting her third in the top scorer's list behind Portugal's Fifo (nine) and Bolivia's Maria Galvez (eight).
What's next
12 October
Chile - Cameroon, Group D, Main Futsal Hall
Trinidad and Tobago - Bolivia, Group C, Main Futsal Hall
Bolivia have their fate in their own hands, knowing a win or a draw against Trinidad and Tobago will give them a spot in the semi-finals. However, a defeat would leave them depending on an unlikely combination of results to go through.
In the first game of the day, Chile are hoping to pick up their first win against Cameroon, although neither side can qualify for the next round.