Japan`s first game as strong candidate to win the title. When I opened the lid, I found that his performance was not perfect, and he struggled quite a bit against Vietnam, which was ranked 94th in the FIFA rankings. In particular, set piece defense and right to provide were clear weaknesses.
The Japanese national soccer team led by Coach Moriyasu Hajime (ranked 17th) defeated Vietnam (ranked 94th) 4-2 in its first Group D match of the 2023 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Cup held at Al Thumama Stadium in Doha, Qatar, at 8:30 p.m. on Monday (Korea time). With the victory, Japan has elevated itself to the top of Group D.
Japan is considered a likely favorite along with South Korea in this tournament. Soccer statistics media “Opta” revealed the probability of winning the Qatar Asian Cup using a supercomputer on the 9th, with 24.6% of Japan ranking first and South Korea ranking second. Japan is said to be strong, and most of the players are playing on the European stage.
The opponent in the first match was Vietnam. With Mitoma off the list due to an injury, Japan started the rotation and sought to win the first match. Japan started Hosoya, Nakamura, Minamino, Junya Ito, Endo, Morita, Hiroki Ito, Taniguchi, Itakura, Sugawara and Suzuki. Japan got off to a good start. Japan led with Minamino’s first goal just 11 minutes into the first half.
However, Vietnam scored the equalizer right away. In the 16th minute of the first half, Dean Park sensibly returned Hong’s elaborate corner kick to the head, which sucked into the corner of the goal with a fantastic trajectory. It was the moment when Japan’s weaknesses were revealed. Except for defenders Itakura and Hiroki Ito, Japan lacked a height of 185 centimeters and showed weaknesses in set piece plays.
Another problem occurred in set piece. Viet Ahn targeted a cross from the left side in the 33rd minute of the first half with a high RBI header, and Suzuki goalkeeper hit it with difficulty. However, Tuen Hai, who was rushing, calmly finished in the empty goal.
Definitely, the right to provide and set piece were weaknesses. Japan formed an offensive team without tall strikers at this year’s event, and its main weapon is to create chances by applying strong pressure and fast attack deployment from the front. However, this Vietnam War demonstrated that Japan could struggle against teams of strength and height.
It is Japan, where certain weaknesses and strengths coexist. Its strengths were detailed pass plays and space creation in the strikers. All three goals in the first half showed Japan’s strengths. Minamino’s equalizer in the 45th minute of the first half and Nakamura’s come-from-behind goal in the extra time were all like that. 라바카지노주소
Another advantage of Japan is that the difference between starters and benches is small. Japan made changes in the second half by scoring Ueda and Kubo, and the two players scored a wedge goal together. After receiving Endo’s pass at 39 minutes in the second half, Kubo reconnected the pass, which Ueda caught, beat the defender and shot. It hit the defense and was sucked into the goal. Japan won.
The pros and cons were clear. Strong pressure, fast attack development and detailed pass play from the front are Japan’s strengths, but the right to provide at set piece was a clear weakness. If Korea meets Japan at the tournament, Cho Kyu-sung, Kim Min-jae, and Jung Seung-hyun and one kick from Son Heung-min and Lee Kang-in will be sure weapons.