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| Photo provided =Kyodo News |
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| AFP Yonhap News |
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The Japanese national soccer team was completely defeated by the U.S. national team, which was completely defeated by Hong Myung-bo three days ago. It's the price of excessive 'experiment'
Japan lost 0-2 to Alejandro Zendejas (America) in the 30th minute and Florin Balogun (AS Monaco) in the 19th minute in the second half in a friendly match against the U.S. at Lower.com Field in Columbus, Ohio, at 8:30 a.m. on the 10th (Korea time). I missed both the content and the result. The possession rate was 46 to 54, and the number of shots was 10 to 16 (4 to 9 effective shots). Japan, which drew 0-0 without scoring in a friendly match against Mexico on the 7th, finished its away trip to the U.S. with a score of 1 draw and 1 loss without scoring a goal in 180 minutes in the two consecutive games. On the other hand, U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino raised the possibility of extending his life by winning the match against Japan, which was held on the first anniversary of the U.S. national team's inauguration. After taking office, Pochettino not only lost seven games in 17 games, but also lost one win and seven games against teams in the top 30 FIFA rankings, putting him in crisis.
Japanese coach Hajime Moriyasu replaced all 11 starters compared to the match against Mexico. While major players are known to be in poor condition due to jet lag, it is interpreted as a plan to test young players and new players in a large rotation. 39-year-old veteran Yuto Nagatomo was included in the starting lineup and kicked the captain's armband. Koki Ogawa comes out as a one-top, and Junya Ito and Yuito Suzuki support the attack from the second line. Sano Kaishu and Joel Chima Fujita formed the midfield duo. Henry Hiroki Mochizuki and Daizen Maeda served as wingbacks, and three-backs were set up by Sekine Hiroki, Araki Hayato, and Nagatomo. Keisuke Osako defended the goal.
The U.S. tried to change four seats compared to the match against Korea (0-2 loss). In a 3-4-2-1 formation, Polarin Balogun led the attack, while Alejandro Zendejas and Christian Pulisic took the second line of attack. Alex Freeman, Tyler Adams, Christian Roldan and Maximilian Arsten set up the midfield. Tristan Blackmon, Chris Richards and Tim Lim packed three-backs, and Matt Frith wore goalkeeper gloves.
The U.S. took the jab first. After blocking the ball from the opponent's side in the 7th minute, Pulisic attempted a mid-range shot, but it went over the net.
In Japan, 1m 92cm tall wingback Mochizuki's performance was far outstanding. In the 16th minute, Mochizuki strode to overlap deep into the opponent's camp and crossed into the gate, and Maeda headed it but without power, he fell into the goalkeeper's arms. In the 21st minute, he actively penetrated the door and tried to hit the header in a timely manner, but was blocked by the goalkeeper.
The U.S. didn't stay put either. In the 18th minute, Balogun penetrated the Japanese defense with a Lee Dae-il pass against Pulisic. However, his shot attempt went nowhere.
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| AFP Yonhap News |
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In the 30th minute, the U.S. scored the long-awaited first goal. Zendejas cut into the net with a sensational non-stop left-footed volley from left Arsten's cross in the middle of the box.
Japan's Ito, who fought back, sharply penetrated the gate in the 35th minute and connected the cross with a shot, but was blocked by the goalkeeper. The first half ended with the U.S. leading 1-0.
Japan tried to make a change by replacing players in the second half. I took out Nagatomo at half-time and put in Seko Ayumu. In the 17th minute of the second half, Fujita, Maeda and Suzuki were excluded, and Daichi Kamada, Kaoru Mitoma and Takumi Minamino were put in, giving them a boost to the second line.
Japan, however, had difficulty regaining the initiative. In the 19th minute, he dedicated an additional goal to Balogun, who received Pulisic's pass. Balogun made light moves from the beginning of the game and eventually scored. After a 2-0 lead, the U.S. put Diego Luna, Sergiño Dest, Jack McGlynn and Luca de la Torre in a row without Gendejas, Adams, Pulisic and Arsten.
In the 24th minute, Balogun's shot was blocked in front of the goalkeeper, and McGlynn's shot, which was replaced in the 33rd minute, was saved by the goalkeeper's body. Japan leaned on goalkeeper Osako's good defense. McGlynn's shot hit the crossbar in the 38th minute, and Dest's shot in the 41st minute was struck by Osako. The game ended in a 2-0 victory for the United States.
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
