Soccer-Japan seal Olympic qualification with victory over North Korea

Soccer Football - AFC Women's Olympic Qualifiers - Japan v North Korea - Japan National Stadium, Tokyo, Japan - February 28, 2024 North Korea's Myong-Gum Ri looks dejected as Japan's Aoba Fujino celebrates scoring their second goal with teammates REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon

TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan survived a late scare to hand North Korea a 2-1 defeat at National Stadium in Tokyo on Wednesday to secure qualification for the Olympic Games in Paris for Futoshi Ikeda's side.

Goals from Hana Takahashi and Aoba Fujino gave the Japanese a two-goal lead after a scoreless draw in the opening leg in Jeddah on Saturday, although a late strike from Kim Hye Yong gave the North Koreans hope.