‘We need to forget win over Germany’ – head coach Moriyasu
Japan take on Costa Rica in Group E of World Cup 2022 this morning as they hope to secure a spot in the last 16 today. Their opening game versus Germany was one of the shocks of the tournament as Hajime Moriyasu’s men fought from a goal down to win 2-1 thanks to two goals in the second half. That victory puts Japan on three points and another win today will see them qualify if Spain avoid defeat to Germany in the late kick off.
They face a Costa Rica side low on confidence after they were soundly beaten 7-0 by Spain last time out. The Central American side have only reached the knockout rounds once since 1990 and failed to win a single game in Russia 2018 which, based on the evidence of their first game, looks likely to happen again during this tournament.
There are calls to make over personnel for both managers. It was Japan’s substitutes who changed the game against so will Moriyasu stick or twist with his starting XI?
Costa Rica boss, Luis Fernando Suarez, has a similar call to make – but for different reasons as his entire team were woeful against Spain – and he will be hoping that whoever starts will play better if his side have any hope of earning a point in this group.
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Japan vs Costa Rica
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Second half: Japan 0-0 Costa Rica
Japan kick off the second half having made a couple of changes. Takuma Asano and Hiroki Ito being brought on.
Chance! Asano is called into action immediately and lays the ball off to Hidemasa Morita who drills a shot from the edge of the box and forces the save out of Keylor Navas.
Great start to the second half.
Michael Jones27 November 2022 11:05
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England manager Gareth Southgate would go ‘bonkers’ if he listened to World Cup criticism
Gareth Southgate believes he would be at risk of going “bonkers” if he chose to engage with the noise around England’s performances and the criticism of his selections and has maintained that he will keep doing things his way.
Southgate’s critics have grown louder over the past year, with England winning just one of their last eight games, and his side were booed at full time of Friday’s drab goalless draw with the United States.
That is despite the 52-year-old having led England to the latter stages of the last two major tournaments and remaining top of Group B, with only a point required against Wales on Tuesday to reach the last-16 of the World Cup.
After six years in the job, Southgate has grown used to having his every call questioned, but he has purposely shut himself off from the debate around his decisions while in Qatar in order to not let it influence him.
Michael Jones27 November 2022 11:00
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HT Japan 0-0 Costa Rica
(REUTERS)
(Getty Images)
(Getty Images)
Michael Jones27 November 2022 10:56
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HT Japan 0-0 Costa Rica
This hasn’t exactly been one for the neutrals. There’s been little danger and even less action in front of goal. Whoever scores first may go on to win this 1-0.
A draw keeps Costa Rica in the tournament so they will be happy. Their back five has really strengthened them defensively.
Michael Jones27 November 2022 10:52
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Half-time: Japan 0-0 Costa Rica
45+1 mins: The one added minute comes and goes before the whistle signals the end of the first half. Both teams need shaking at the break, this game needs more intensity and excitement.
Michael Jones27 November 2022 10:46
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Japan 0-0 Costa Rica
42 mins: That’s go with attritional over dull as the adjective to describe the first half.
That’s purely because Miki Yamane livens up proceedings by taking Joel Campbell out from behind and earning himself a yellow card.
Michael Jones27 November 2022 10:44
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Japan 0-0 Costa Rica
38 mins: Almost! Yuki Soma darts inside from the left and slides a pacey pass into the box where Daichi Kamada just needs to control the ball and turn to set up an opportunity at goal.
He takes his eye of the ball though and misses it meaning the chance goes begging as the ball rolls through to Keylor Navas instead.
Michael Jones27 November 2022 10:39
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Japan 0-0 Costa Rica
35 mins: Shot! Costa Rica haven’t offered much going forward and Joel Campbell wants to change that. The cross comes in from the right and gets nodded down.
It’s slipped to Campbell on the edge of the penalty area and he hits a left-footed effort with the outside of his boot, trying to curl it into the far top corner but his effort flies wide of the post!
Michael Jones27 November 2022 10:36
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Japan 0-0 Costa Rica
33 mins: An aerial pass from Duarte comes over to Campbell on the left wing. He sends the ball inside to Bryan Oviedo and wants it back after starting an overlapping run behind the right-back.
Oviedo instead swings one into the box but Japan deal with it easily enough.
Michael Jones27 November 2022 10:34
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Japan 0-0 Costa Rica
30 mins: A clumsy challenge from Yuot Nagatomo sees Costa Rica win a free kick over on the right side of the pitch and Oscar Duarte takes it quickly.
He tries to catch Japan off guard but his cross into the penalty area doesn’t come close to a team mate and the chance comes to nought.
Michael Jones27 November 2022 10:32