In women's soccer, the Japanese national team has punched its ticket to the Paris Olympics by beating North Korea 2-1 in the final qualifying round.

The world's eighth-ranked Japan and ninth-ranked North Korea battled to a scoreless draw in the first leg.

Japan opened the scoring in the 26th minute of the second leg in Tokyo, with Takahashi Hana pouncing on a loose ball.

North Korea almost equalized just before halftime, but Japan's goalkeeper Yamashita Ayaka clawed a shot off the line to preserve the lead.

In the 77th minute, Japan cut open the North Korean defense with slick passing down the right. Twenty-year-old Fujino Aoba doubled the lead with a well-placed header.

North Korea pulled one back to set up a nervy finish, but Japan held firm for the victory.

Nadeshiko Japan has secured a spot at the Olympics for the second Games in a row.