On the 7th, the Japan national football team won their first victory over China in the second round of the World Cup Asian Final Qualifying held in Qatar, 1-0.
Japan, which was ranked 24th in the world ranking and lost to Oman in the first match of the final Asian qualifying round of the World Cup Qatar on the 2nd of this month, played against China, which is 71st in the world, in the second round.
The match took place in Doha, Qatar, as a neutral location as China restricted travel to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus.
In Japan, four starting members have been replaced since the match against Oman, and 20-year-old Takefusa Kubo, who was also active in the Tokyo Olympics, the English Premier League, and Arsenal's Takehiro Tomiyasu have started.
Japan continued to be unable to attack the opponent who took the number of people from the first half to solidify the goal, but in the 40th minute Junya Ito's cross ball from the right side was matched by forward Yuya Osako with his right foot. I took the lead.
Japan couldn't get any additional points, but the center-back captains Maya Yoshida and Tomiyasu did not make a decisive scene for the opponents, and they won 1-0 in the final qualifying. I won my first victory.
With this, Japan has 1 win and 1 loss and 3 points.
Coach Hajime Moriyasu said, "The players have prepared to change their minds for this match against China. Although the tough fight continues for the World Cup, we were able to score three points and move forward by one. I was able to do it. I want to always be prepared for a tough battle, fight tenaciously, and move forward as a team. "
Japan will then face Saudi Arabia away on the 7th of next month in the final Asian qualifying round, and then play Australia on the 12th at Saitama Stadium.