Neither Daizen Maeda nor Kyogo started for Japan in their 4-1 win over Paraguay at the Sapporo Dome stadium, in Hokkaido before 42,300 spectators yesterday, but both did manage to see some match action.
The hosts won this won comfortably in the end, however Riveros had the first real chance of the game for Paraguay with an effort from outside the box which forced the Japanese keeper Schmidt to dive to save. Then after half an hour, Richard Sánchez with a free-kick saw Schmidt called into action again.
But Japan were soon to get amongst the goals however, when in 36th minute a subtle effort by Asano gave Japan the lead after a pass between the lines by Haraguchi, and Japan doubled their lead six minutes later with a header from Kamada, who got ahead of the centre-backs and connected onto Doan’s cross from the right.
The Eintracht Frankfurt Europa league winner was a constant nightmare for the South American defence, something a certain group of players and supporters closer to home got to experience just recently of course, and was clearly Japan’s man of the match.
Japanese coach Hajime Moriyasu who said prior to the game “We want to deliver an exciting match for the people of Hokkaido and those who travelled here to watch this match” certainly delivered on his promise, and he rang the changes at half-time, as Maeda found himself getting the second half to try and prove himself worthy of consideration for the upcoming World Cup in Qatar as he replaced Asano, the scorer of the opening goal.
Maeda wasn’t to score in the match but he was heavily involved in Japan’s build up play, made an effective appearance from the bench and will have done his chances of a World Cup spot no harm at all.
Denis Gonzalez halved the deficit after 59 minutes for Paraguay with a brilliant shot from the edge of the area, but any thoughts of a comeback were dispelled almost immediately, as from the next phase of play Japan were 3-0 up, as Mitoma picked up a pass from Haraguchi inside the area and had all the time in the world to control, glance at Rojas in the Paraguay goal and put the ball out of his reach and make the score 3-1, with Maeda ready to pounce had the ball not crossed the line.
Mitoma’s reward for the goal and penalty assist was to see his number raised and he made way after 82 minutes with Kyogo introduced to the action for the final eight minutes.
Japan finished the contest with five minutes to go as a Tanaka shot bulleted its way into the net with Kyogo following the ball, but Rojas in the Paraguay goal perhaps should have been positioned better.
Next up for Japan is Brazil on Monday June 6, and Maeda and Kyogo may well both start that match after coach Hajime Moriyasu namechecked the Celtic stars in the build up to that encounter when he said –
“Brazil have many wonderful players, but so do we. We have players in great shape like Furuhashi who has now scored 20 goals for the season with Celtic and Maeda too. They are two very quick players and we know that opponents dislike that. I want to make use of their speed as a Japanese weapon.”
Both Maeda and Kyogo may have seen limited gametime today, but it is clear they are very much in the manager’s thoughts ahead of that clash with Brazil.
Niall J
