EAFF E-1: Japan beatsS Korea to defend title

Japan defeated South Korea 1-0 to successfully defend its EAFF E-1 Football Championship title at the Yongin Mireu Stadium in Yongin, South Korea on Tuesday, reports Sportstar.
The reigning champions started strong, with Ryo Germain finding the net in the eighth minute. Germain, who had an impressive four-goal haul in just 22 minutes during Japan’s opening match against Hong Kong, once again proved to be the difference-maker.
Despite going into halftime, a goal down, South Korea emerged with renewed vigour in the second half, pressing hard for an equaliser. However, the Taegeuk Warriors were consistently thwarted by the resilient Japanese defence, failing to land only one of their eight shots on target.
Ultimately, Germain’s early strike secured the victory, allowing Japan to lift the trophy once more.
Both teams were unbeaten before the final round after winning the first two matches of the campaign.
Japan started the campaign with a 6-1 victory over Hong Kong and followed it with a 2-0 win against China.
Meanwhile, Korea kept clean sheets in its first two wins, with margins of 3-0 and 2-0, against China and Hong Kong, respectively.