After the 2-1 defeat against Iraq, Japan were challenged on the last matchday of Group D of the Asian Cup, but were able to overcome the hurdle of Indonesia with ease. With the 3:1 victory, the Japanese advance to the round of 16 behind Iraq
After beating Indonesia 4:2 to open the tournament, the Japanese national team stumbled against Iraq (1-2) on the second matchday. The record winners of the Asian Cup were therefore under pressure in their final group match against Indonesia. They needed at least one point to keep the Indonesians, who went into the game with the worse goal difference, behind them.
Coach Hajime Moriyasu reacted to the Iraq defeat with a major rotation: only goalkeeper Suzuki, captain Endo and playmaker Kubo started again. Gladbach’s Itakura was ruled out with an injury and Bochum’s Asano was among the players who had to sit on the bench. Freiburg’s Doan was given a chance instead
Lightning start from the spot
The first excitement of the match was not long in coming. In the second minute of the game, Indonesia’s Jordi Amat tackled Ueda in the penalty area and brought the striker down. After a lengthy VAR review, the Japanese were awarded a justified penalty, which Ueda converted personally (6′).
From then on, Japan had everything under control, even if it was rarely really compelling. However, the Samurai Blue missed a great chance to make it 2:0: After a chip over the defense from Kubo, Maikuma crossed for Nakamura. The winger was free to shoot from the penalty spot, but the ball hit the inside of the post, from where it bounced back out (34′).
Doan turns up the heat but is not rewarded
After the break, the Japanese became more determined. Freiburg’s Doan, in particular, turned up the heat and served a low cross perfectly for Ueda, who completed his brace and slotted home from close range for his third goal of the tournament (52′). Doan should have been rewarded himself, but the winger first failed to score from an acute angle (54′), then missed the target with a lob (61′) and was unable to get his header from close range past central defender Hubner, who saved on the line (64′).
Hubner was again at the center of attention shortly before the end. Japan’s Ueda had his feet in the game again, taking a cross from Ito and finishing from seven meters. As he attempted to clear, Indonesia’s central defender deflected the ball onto the underside of the crossbar and from there into the goal (88′). Nevertheless, Indonesia did manage to score a consolation goal. Walsh made it 1:3 in the first minute of stoppage time after a long throw-in
The Japanese are now second in the last 16 behind Iraq, who won the group with maximum points. The winner of Group E awaits there next Wednesday (12.30 pm) – Jordan, South Korea or Bahrain are the possible opponents. However, the Indonesians also have a small remaining chance. If one of the third-placed teams from the two remaining Groups E and F finishes with less than three points and 3:6 goals, they would advance as the fourth-best third-placed team in the group
