Modified on December 6, 2022
JAPAN IN TOP 16
Dec 5: Japan vs Croatia
It was a competitive match at Al Janoub Stadium.
Daizen Maeda kicked in the first goal in the 43rd minute.
But soon into the 2nd half, Ivan Perisic succeeded in scoring for the Croatians.
The game went into extra time. Neither side could score.
In the World Cup's first penalty shoot-out, Dominik Livakovic showed
great saves ending it with a 3 to 1 for Croatia.
The 1-1 game went to Croatia. Japan's shattered of its chance to advance to the quarter-finals for the first time.
After the match, coach Hajime Moriyasu admitted, Samurai Blue did not prepare enough for a penalty shoot-out.
As usual, the team cleaned the locker room, leaving behind a thank you message with paper cranes, representing the design
of their uniform.
JAPAN IN GROUP E
Dec 1: Japan vs Spain
It was back at Khalifa International Stadium where Samurai Blue beat Germany.
11 minutes into the game, Alvaro Morata scored a goal.
Then just 3 minutes after half time, Ritsu Doan shot an equalizing goal.
3 minutes after that, Kaori Mitomo passed the ball to Ao Tanaka who kicked into the goal..
The performance had to be reviewed on video, as the ball seemed to have left the bounds of the field.
But the verdict was it did not. The 2 players who trained at the same football school as children hugged eachother.
Japan won 2 to 1 to advance from the knock out stage to the top 16.
Nov 27: Japan vs Costa Rica
Samurai Blue had control of the ball much longer than Costa Rica at the match played
in Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium.
It had chances in the later half with free kicks and a penalty kick.
But the ball did not make it beyond the wall of the Costa Ricans.
Costa Rica succeeded in the 1 chance it had to aim for the goal.
It's in the 36th minute.Keysher Fuller scored a goal.
Japan lost 0 to 1.
Nov 23: Japan vs Germany
Samurai Blue was on the pitch to face higher ranking and 4 time World Cup champion at Khalifa International Stadium.
Starting players were Yuto Nagatomo, Maya Yoshida,Takefusa Kubo, Daichi Kamada,
Goalkeeper Shuichi Gonda slipped on top of a German player, giving away a penalty kick in the 32nd minute.
Japanese players were hardly able to keep control of the ball.
In the later half, Kubo was replaced by Tomiyasu.
Then Ritsu Doan, Takumi Minamino, Kaoru Mitoma, Takuma Asano were in.
Gonda helped with a series of super saves.
In the 29th minutes Ritsu Doan with Germany's SC Freiburg kicked in a goal.
The joy expressed by the team was enormous.
Then in the 37th a goal by Bochum's Takuma Asano who went running into his teammates on reserve to celebrate.
Japan won 2 to 1 and earned 3 points.
PRE 2022 WORLD CUP
vs Canada
Japan lost 1 to 2. But the team was not dismayed with its loss as it was about testing its formation ahead of the World Cup.
Japan announces national team roster
On Nov 1, the roster of 26 players was announced by head coach Hajime Moriyasu.
Veterans are Yuto Nagatomo, Maya Yoshida and goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima .
Others are Junya Ito, Kaoru Mitoma, Takuma Asano, Takefusa Kubo and Takumi Minamino.
Most play in Germany.
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