The unexpected result gave the Hinomaru its best finish ever at the tournament and represented a remarkable reversal of fortune.
Hanae Kubo scored the dramatic winning goal in Japan’s final match of the ice hockey tournament's preliminary round.
Six Smile Japan players scored a goal as coach Yuji Iizuka’s squad improved to 2-0 in Beijing.
Medal hopeful Japan will face defending champion U.S. in a rematch of the 2019 worlds.
