Japan national team was unable to beat rivals in a friendly match in March after losing at home to Colombia national team 1-2 in the Kirin Challenge Cup 2023 (International Friendly ‘A’ Match) at Yodoko Sakura Stadium, Osaka.
In the first half, Japan took the lead in the 3rd minute. Mitoma hits Morita’s cross with his head and swings the net. However, in the 33rd minute, the right side was broken, and Durand decided at the end.
In the second half, with a tie score of 1-1, there were moments when the team was forced into the opening, but the defenders put their bodies on the line to repel the opponent’s attacks. The linked defense shines, such as showing challenges and covers everywhere.
In the 58th minute, Kiyo Ueda took a shot from a cross from Ritsu Doan, who came on as a substitute. But this is stopped by the opponent GK. Immediately after, Takefusa Kubo joined Ayumu Seko as a substitute. We will aim for the winning bullet by introducing the hottest attacker.
However, it was Colombia who scored the next goal. In the 61st minute, Schmidt took a close-range shot and stopped it, but the loose ball was followed by a powerful overhead ball. Colombia succeeds in reversing.
Behind Japan boldly counterattacked. In the 66th minute, Morita’s cross was met with a header by Ueda, but it was blocked by a fine save by the opposing goalkeeper. A few minutes later, Ueda tried again with a header but was unable to break open the goal.
After that, Japan continued to attack with all its might, but they were unable to score. I suffered a frustrating come-from-behind loss.
Credit Photo : Kenta Harada/Getty Images
