City
Epaper

Speedy Japan defeats unorganized Paraguay 2-0 in friendly

By IANS | Updated: September 5, 2019 20:15 IST

Japan's national football team claimed a 2-0 friendly win over Paraguay on Thursday, as both teams prepare for the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifications.

Open in App

Japan's quick play was more than Paraguay could handle as the South Americans were beaten at Kashima Antlers stadium in the Japanese city of Kashima, reports Efe news.

It was the first encounter in Paraguay's Asian tour that is set to include a game against Jordan in Amman, the capital of the Arabic nation, on September 10.

Although Paraguay's Argentine coach Eduardo Berizzo vowed to dominate the possession, the players did not live up to expectations, and the Latin American team seemed unorganized on the pitch, being unable to keep up with the Japan squad's pace.

Japan called up its best team for the friendly with most of the team's players competing in European leagues.

Japan scored both goals within a seven-minute stretch during the first half, as the hosts dominated play against a Paraguayan team that was slow in its reaction. Its midfield was its weakest line.

Werder Bremen's Yuya Osako opened the scoring with an effort in minute 23, while Red Bull Salzburg's Takumi Minamino doubled his country's lead at the half-hour mark.

After the second goal, the Latin American side tried to regain form and get on the scoreboard, but Japanese goalkeeper Shuichi Gonda managed to make two successive saves, clearing striker Braian Samudio's try and the following corner kick.

( With inputs from IANS )

Tags: japanParaguayKashimaJordanEduardo Berizzo
Open in App

Related Stories

InternationalCalifornia Becomes World's Fourth-Largest Economy, Surpassing Japan

EntertainmentPrabhas Starrer Kalki 2898 AD Soars in Japan, Garnering Record-Breaking Response

InternationalTokyo to Introduce Four-Day Work-Week to Address Declining Fertility Rates

EntertainmentIndia’s Sci-Fi Blockbuster ‘Kalki 2898 AD’ Is Set To Release in Japan

InternationalNobel Peace Prize 2024 Awarded to Japanese Organisation Nihon Hidankyo, Representing Survivors of WWII Atomic Bombings

फुटबॉल Realted Stories

FootballJamshedpur FC knock NorthEast United out in Kalinga Super Cup quarter-finals after sudden death

FootballLiverpool becomes Premier League champions for 2024-25 season

FootballChhangte's strike puts Mumbai City FC in Kalinga Super Cup semi-finals

Football"My desire is to return to Mohun Bagan, but it's not in my hands": Mumbai City FC's Prabir Das

FootballKounde's late strike leaves Real Madrid gobsmacked as Barcelona lift Copa del Rey title with nail-biting 3-2 win