[Y wybodaeth ddiweddaraf am dîm pêl-droed cenedlaethol Japan]The Japanese national team will face the Spanish national team in the Qatar World Cup (World Cup) Group E final on December 1, local time.
On December 1st local time, the Japanese national team faced the Spanish national team in Round 2 of Group E of the Qatar World Cup.
In their first match in Group E, Japan achieved a dramatic 2-1 victory from behind the German national team, which attracted rave reviews from both inside and outside of Japan. However, in their second match against Costa Rica, they conceded a goal in the second half and lost 0-1. Progress to the final tournament depends on the final match against Spain.
With a win, Japan will advance unconditionally to the last 16, so a back of 3 was adopted. Maya Yoshida, Shogo Taniguchi, and Ko Itakura are lined up, and Hidemasa Morita and Midori Tanaka are in the middle. Yuto Nagatomo and Junya Ito are on both sides, Takefusa Kubo and Daichi Kamata are on the second shadow, and Daizen Maeda is on top.
On the other hand, Spain changed the members a little. P.Torres, Balde, N.Williams and Morata came into the starting line-up. At the center of the attention, the Barcelona trio of Busquets, Gabi and Pedri were together as in previous games.
Spain took the initiative from the start of the game, and Japan began to press and aim for counter-attacks. Then, in the 7th minute, the high build-up crunch is addictive. When Maeda took over the area and became melee, Ito finally shot from the right side of the area. However, the ball shook the side nets.
However, it was Spain who broke the deadlock. Azpilicueta sent in a cross from the right, and Morata came in. Spain scored first in the 12th minute.
After that, Spain passed the ball from start to finish, and Japan continued to set up a defensive net to prevent them from invading the attacking third.
The first half ended like this. Japan failed to create chances as they did not have a quick attack to finish the game. The first half was one point behind.
At the start of the second half, Japan made two substitutions. Kubo and Nagatomo were replaced by Ritsu Doan and Kaoru Mitoma. Spain also have Carvajal on the field instead of Azpilicueta.
Then the game moves in the 48th minute. Japan took the ball from a high position after building up high pressure. Doan flashes his left foot in front of the right of the area. A powerful mid-range shot bounced off GK Simon’s hand and rattled the net of the goal.
In the 51st minute, Doan puts his right foot inside from the right side of the area. Mitoma turned the ball which went wide and Tanaka pushed it in. The game was stopped by VAR once, but the referee ruled it as a goal. Successfully reversed.
In the 70th minute, Mitoma breaks through the left side. When she slipped away with surprising speed and put in a cross from the grounder, Asano, who had come on as a substitute, matched her. However, the ball went out of frame without being able to hold the frame.
Spain try to counterattack by making full use of substitutes. Asensio, Ferran Torres and Ansu Fati, who started the last two games, have entered.
Japan is pushed to the last stage. Still, showing the unrefined defense and not allowing the score. After a long extra time of 7 minutes, the final whistle blows.
Japan scored a dramatic come-from-behind win over Spain, topping the group, which was rumored to be the group of death. This was the second year in a row that they progressed to the finals.
On the other hand, Germany against Costa Rica turned into a fierce battle with 4 goals. In the game, Costa Rica, who conceded the opening goal, temporarily turned the game around. Nevertheless, Germany showed the will to reverse again and won 4-2.
As a result, Japan and Spain progressed to the final tournament from Group E. Japan will face Croatia on December 6th, and Spain will face Morocco on December 7th.
■ Match results
Japan National Team 2-1 Spain National Team
* Japan advances to final tournament as Group E leader!
■ Scorer
Japan: Ritsu Doan (48 mins), Midori Tanaka (51 mins)
Spain: Alvaro Morata (12′)
■ Group E final standings (points: goal difference)
1st Place: Japan (6: +1) ☆ Advanced to T final
2nd place: Spain (4: +6) ☆ Advanced to final T
3rd place: Germany (4: +1)
4th place: Costa Rica (3:-8)
