Japan U20 national team win 3 matches consecutive and advanced to the quarter-final after slashing Saudi Arabia U20 national team with a score of 2-1 in the AFC U20 Asian Cup 2023 Group Stage, Group D at Lokomotiv Stadium, Tashkent.
In the early minutes, Japan continued to defend against Saudi Arabia, who repeatedly tried to throw long balls at tall forwards in the front line, and gradually stepped up their offense.
And in the 15th minute, he scored the opening goal. With a good tempo, captain Kyu Matsuki received a short pass from Taiharu Abe on the left side of the penalty area.
In the 35th minute, Ayumu Yokoyama broke through with a sharp dribble down the right side. Kitano Sota’s header on the far side of the cross went over the frame. At the end of the first half, they faced a pinch from the opponent’s fast attack, but goalkeeper Ryoya Kimura prevented a close-range shot with a good save and returned with a 1-point lead.
In the second half, Saudi Arabia had more time to hold the ball. Still responding with compact defense. In the final phase, keep your body close to the opponent and don’t let them hit the shot.
In the 71st minute, Naoki Kumada, who slipped through the left side to a through ball from a teammate, returned to the center. Niko Takahashi, who made a free run, fired a right-footed shot that was blocked by the goalkeeper.
After failing to seize the chance, in the 74th minute they conceded a goal from a left CK. Even so, 4 minutes later, Matsuki headed in from a left CK and shook the net, immediately taking the lead again. The match ended as it was, and Japan won three straight games.
As a result, Japan advanced to the knockout stage at the top of the group. In the quarter-finals, on the 12th Japan time, they will face Jordan, who finished 2nd in Group C.
Credit Photo : AFC
