Japan U20 national team take a first 3 points after beated China U20 national team with a score of 2-1 in the AFC U20 Asian Cup 2023 Group stage, group D at JAR Stadium, Tashkent.
China took the lead early on. In the 6th minute, Japan’s defender Hayato Tanaka invited an own goal in the midst of a header battle from a left.
On the other hand, Japan pushed their opponents with speedy passing work and dribbling by Ayumu Yokoyama and Issai Sakamoto. Kitano Sota in the 9th minute, Koda Hidemasa in the 17th minute, and Sakamoto in the 18th minute all had shots, but none of them scored.
After that, Japan continued to dominate the ball, making it look like a “half court game”, but the goal was far away. In the 33rd minute, Yokoyama reacted to a loose ball from Yusei Yashiki’s cross and swung his left foot, but the timing was not right.
In the 45+2 minute, Sakamoto headed a vertical floating ball thrown by Tanaka, but was unable to catch the target. The first half ended 1-0 with China leading.
In the second half as well, Japan pushed in completely, but it was difficult to score a goal. In the 59th minute, Nagacho Takatora fired a mid-range shot, but it just missed.
Among them, Japan finally caught up in the 66th minute. Kodai Sano sent a cross from deep inside the penalty area, and Naoki Kumada headed it into the goal.
Furthermore, in the 70th minute, the game was reversed. When Sano raised a cross, Kumada who was in front of the goal reacted. His left-footed volley didn’t match, but he quickly got back on his feet and calmly poured it in with his right foot.
After taking the lead, Japan did not slow down their offensive and continued to push their opponents. Although the additional point was not born, the game ends without danger. With a come-from-behind victory of 2-1, the first match was decorated.
In the next section, on the 6th, Japan will face Kyrgyzstan and China will face Saudi Arabia.
Credit Photo : AFC
