[Columbus (Ohio, USA) = Sato Naru]The Japanese national team (17th in the FIFA rankings) lost 0-2 to the US national team (15th in the 15th in the 2018 season).
From the match against Mexico on the 6th (7th) (0-0), two days of the match, and a three-hour time difference between about 3,000 km and a three-hour time difference, all 11 starting members have been replaced. While they saved core members such as midfielder Endo Wataru and midfielder Kubo Takefusa on the bench, they were completely defeated by a score higher than the score. GK Osako Keisuke (26, Sanfrecce Hiroshima)'s solid defense was outstanding, but the team finished the US expedition with one draw and one loss without a score.
This will be a strengthening match against the host country, with nine months left until the opening of the FIFA World Cup (World Cup), which opens on June 11th (12th Japan time), next year. Coach Moriyasu Kazushi has used four members of the J.League group as starting players. Nagatomo Yuto (FC Tokyo), the oldest member, started in his 144th International A-match match, and was entrusted with his captain's mark.
The starting teams are goalkeeper Osako, and the three-back teams are Sekine Daiki, Araki Hayato, and Nagatomo from the right. The midfielders are Fujita Joruchima and Sano Kaishu, and the wingbacks are Mochizuki Henry Kaiki on the right and Maeda Daizen on the left. Ito Junya was on the right of the shadow, Suzuki Yuito was on the left, and Ogawa Koki was on the first batter.
The “mirror game” is also on par with 3-4-2-1 in the United States. They pressed each other high presses, and the ball was taken from the enemy's territory and then they aimed for the goal. In particular, I was struggling with the quick short counter of the opponent, focusing on forward Pulisic.
In the 18th minute of the first half, Sano Umi's pass was stolen in his own territory, and in the end he was shot by forward Vargas, but goalkeeper Osako quickly pulled up and made a save. I escaped the trouble. In the 21st minute, Mochizuki headed off Nagatomo's cross, but goalkeeper Fleece didn't score a goal.
As the battle continued, back and forth, the balance was broken in the 30th minute of the first half. Mochizuki faced off left defender Ahfsen, and allowed him to break through vertically, and a cross ball was thrown into the left corner of the goal by forward Sendejas with a left volley.
Japan was chasing one point, and in the 35th minute of the first half, Suzuki passed the ball in the opposing territory and passed the ball to the front of the goal. Ito tried to push in with a single touch, but was saved in front of goalkeeper Fleece.
In the 38th minute of the first half, the ball was lost in his own territory and forward Pulisic was brought in, but he quickly blocked the ball and prevented it. Conversely, in the 45th minute, Sano Umi aimed with his left foot, but was blocked, and in the 46th minute, Suzuki hit a punchy shot from a position without an angle on the left, but was saved.
At the start of the second half, manager Moriyasu took action. Nagatomo, who injured his right ankle in the first half, lowered him, and defender Seko Ayumu entered the left side, lowering Mochizuki and changing the order to a 4-2-3-1 position. In the second row, they deployed Ito on the right, Suzuki in the center, and Maeda on the left, and attempted to counterattack.
However, while they were unable to take the lead, they were in a difficult situation in the 9th minute of the second half. Pulisic dribbled the two from the left, and then he was brought into the area and received a powerful shot. Osako saved and saved the goal.
Japan took down Fujita, Suzuki and Maeda in the 17th minute of the second half, and brought in midfielders Kamata Daichi, Minamino Takumi and Mitomo Kaoru. They tried to make a comeback, but on the other hand, they were scored an additional goal in the 19th minute. Pulisic dribbling strongly and then a through pass was thrown into FW Balogun with his left foot. Unable to stop Pulisic from being alone, they easily conceded a goal with the combination of the two players. Coach Moriyasu had no choice but to bite his lip.
In the 28th minute of the second half, Ogawa and Mochizuki were lowered to send forward Machino Shooto and defender Sugawara Yuse. This match was aimed at raising the players' base with an eye on the actual event. Coach Moriyasu focused on increasing the team's experience by sending many players on the pitch. However, there were many times when they were attacked, and although Osako's big save in the 33rd minute of the second half, they avoided conceding a goal, but they continued to receive sharp US counters over and over again. In the 38th minute, he was hit with a powerful shot, and was saved by a crossbar. After that, Osako continued to survive with a fine save.
I'd love to get back on the ground, but the unattacking development continued. The promising Mitomo was unable to break from the left, and the match was the second consecutive match of the match without a score, following the match against Mexico. Although there were some unfortunate moments, we experienced a much harsher reality than the harvest in a reinforced match with an eye on the World Cup.
Coach Moriyasu, who also tried out the 3-back and 4-back, said, “We tried it out in order to increase our options. If we organize it, it will help us in the future,” but when it comes to attacking without a score, he said, “We need to improve our quality when fighting the world.”
The next match will be played against Paraguay national team at Panasta, Osaka on October 10th, and Brazilian national team at Ajista, Tokyo on the 14th.
