[골닷컴] Reporter Kang Dong-hun = Japan wrote a dramatic play. The possibility was close to ‘zero’, but he managed to ‘kill the giant’ once again. By defeating Spain in the ‘Invincible Armada’, they broke everyone’s expectations and managed to progress to the round of 16. It really is a ‘disastrous change’ in every World Cup.
According to ‘Five Thirty Eight’, a sports statistics company, Japan’s chances of advancing to the round rose from 16 to 75% even before defeating Germany. However, after being careless, such as executing the rotation, they lost to Costa Rica and destroyed themselves, and the probability of advancing to the knockout stage dropped to the 20% level.
Japan had to defeat Spain in the final game to advance to the round of 16 on their own. However, it was predicted that it would be difficult in terms of realistic tendencies and objective force. But the unbelievable happened. he did the hard work
Japan won 2-1 in the final match of the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar Group E against Japan held at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha, Qatar at 4:00 am (Korea time) on the 2nd.
Japan, who won that day, rose to first place in Group E (2 wins, 1 loss, 6 points), and managed to advance to the knockout stages of two consecutive tournaments following the 2018 World Cup in Russia. At the same time, the number of times he progressed to the round of 16 of the World Cup increased from three to four.
Head coach Moriyasu Hajime (Japan) went defensive. I took a 3-4-3 formation unlike the 1st and 2nd games. Up front, Takefusa Kubo (Real Sociedad), Daizen Maeda (Celtic), and Daichi Kamada (Frankfurt) competed as a top three team.
Yuto Nagatomo (FC Tokyo), Ao Tanaka (Düsseldorf), Hidemasa Morita (Sports) and Junya Ito (Stade de Reims) kept their backs. Shogo Taniguchi (Kawasaki Frontale), Maya Yoshida (Shalke 04), and Go Itakura (Monchengladbach) formed the defensive line. The goal was saved by Shuichi Gonda (Shimizu S-Pulse).
Spain came out with a 4-3-3 formation. Dani Olmo (Leipzig), Alvaro Morata (Atletico Madrid) and Nico Williams (Athletic Bilbao) were in the lead. He supported Pedri, Sergio Busquets and Pablo Gavi (both at Barcelona). The goalkeeper’s gloves were worn by Simon Unai (Athletic Bilbao).
As expected, Spain led the game from the start and slowly created opportunities. And he took the lead with an early goal. In the 12th minute of the first half, Cesar Azpilicueta’s (Chelsea) cross was connected directly in front of the goal, and Morata, who jumped high, split the net with a header.
After that, Spain continued to increase possession and driving attacks. Deprived of the initiative, Japan focused on defense and tried to counterattack, but failed to capitalize on the opportunity to tie the game. The first half ended with Spain leading 1-0.
Coach Moriyas made a half time change. I took out Kubo and Nagatomo and added Doan Ritz (Freiburg) and Kaoru Mitoma (Brighton & Hove Albion). This worked. Japan turned the game around. In the 3rd minute of the second half, Ito’s strong pressure succeeded, and Doan shook the net with a powerful left foot shot.
Japan was able to reverse immediately. In the 6th minute of the second half, Mitoma put a cross in front of the goal, and Tanaka pushed it. In the whole process, a video review (VAR) was carried out to see if the ball had gone off the goal line, and the goal was finally recognized.
Desperate Spain switched to the attacking side. In the 12th minute of the second half, Morata and Williams were removed and Ferran Torres (Barcelona) and Marco Asensio (Real Madrid) were put in. Next, Gaby and Alejandro Balde (Barcelona) were removed, and Ansu Fati and Jordi Alba (Barcelona) were added.
After that, Spain continued to take the lead and constantly tried to attack. However, Japan managed to control the game with a center of gravity at the back and blocked it thoroughly. In the end, there was no change in the score in the remaining time, and the game ended with Japan winning 2-1.
