Serbia U20 W vs Japan U20 W

Serbia carried a slender 15–14 lead into half-time after a tightly contested first period. The game opened up early in the second half when Japan drew level at 16–16 through Hisaki Arakaki's left-wing finish at 29:53, but Serbia responded immediately — Sara Radović converted a penalty to restore the lead, and the pattern was set for the remainder of the match.

Every time Japan pulled within a goal, Serbia found an answer. Tamara Dušić (6/9), Mia Nedeljković (6/6) and Radović (8/16) rotated the scoring load, while Japan relied heavily on right-winger Airi Jinno, who finished 6/7 (86%) — the highest efficiency of any player on either side with more than two attempts.

Serbia stretched the lead to 23–20 through Nedeljković's right-wing strike at 46:20, and again to 25–22 when Milica Otašević scored a breakthrough goal at 49:43. Japan's Yume Matsumoto and Mao Kato kept the Asian side within touching distance, but Serbia's 9m shooting — three goals from distance — proved decisive.

With just over a minute remaining, Japan cut the deficit to 28–27 through Haruhi Samo's long-range strike at 58:04 and Futaba Ikeda's penalty at 59:07. But Serbia called a timeout, and Nedeljković delivered the dagger — a right-wing finish off an Otašević assist at 59:44. Japan's Jurina Kio saw a left-wing attempt saved in the final seconds.

---

With Japan trailing 19–18 and momentum building, Serbia's Tamara Dušić earned a two-minute suspension at 20:57 — a moment that could have swung the game. Instead, Serbia's defence held firm during the numerical disadvantage, and Radović scored a breakthrough goal at 38:00 to make it 21–18. Serbia outscored Japan 3–1 in the two-minute window and never trailed again.

---

• Sara Radović (Serbia) — A match-high 8 goals from 16 shots (50%), plus multiple assists. She was the focal point of Serbia's attack, converting two penalties and three breakthroughs. Player of the Match.
• Mia Nedeljković (Serbia) — A flawless 6/6 from the field (100%), including a fastbreak goal, a penalty, and the decisive 59th-minute strike that sealed the win.
• Airi Jinno (Japan) — 6/7 (86%) from right wing, the most efficient scorer in the match. Her movement on the flank caused Serbia consistent problems.
• Mao Kato (Japan) — 3/4 (75%) with two 6m finishes and composure in the clutch.

---

Serbia shot 29/44 (66%) to Japan's 27/46 (59%). The difference came from the penalty line: Serbia converted 5/7 (71%) to Japan's 3/5 (60%). Serbia also hit three 9m goals to Japan's two, creating separation from distance when Japan packed the 6m zone. Both sides scored two fastbreak goals, but Serbia's wing play (9 goals to Japan's 7) and superior shot selection edged the efficiency battle.

Japan actually won the 6m duel 4–1 and the near-range battle 19–18, but Serbia's variety — goals from 9m, wing, breakthrough and penalty — proved harder to defend.

---

Serbia advance to the 5th-place match on 5 July, where they will face the winner of the other Placement 5–8 semi-final between Montenegro and Norway. Japan drop into the 7th-place match, also on 5 July. This is Serbia's first appearance in a 5th-place decider at the IHF Women's Junior World Championship since 2018.

Both teams entered this match after quarter-final defeats: Serbia lost 38–26 to Denmark, while Japan fell 34–33 to Spain in a one-goal thriller.

---

A hard-fought, well-executed match settled by Serbia's superior penalty conversion and the reliable finishing of Radović and Nedeljković. Japan pushed hard until the final whistle but lacked the 9m threat to stretch Serbia's defence. Serbia's ability to respond every time Japan drew level was the defining pattern — they never let the match slip away.