The Japan national team (17th in the FIFA ranking) defeated the China national team (94th in the 2nd place), 2-0, marking their second consecutive win. FW Hosoya Masahiro (23, Kashiwa), who was entrusted with the number 10 jersey as the ace of the domestic group, scored the first goal in the first half, and midfielder Mochizuki Henry Kaiki (23, Machida) scored an additional goal in the second half with a midfielder shot. Even though he defended, goalkeeper Hayakawa Tomoki (26, Kashima)'s solid defense was shining and he finished off with a shutout. On the 15th, the final match will be played against the Korean national team (23rd place), who also won two consecutive games, for the championship.

Japan, which is competing in the J.League All-Star, has been called up for the first time. Manager Moriyasu Kazushi changed all the starting lineups from the first game against Hong Kong (6-1 victory), and made five debuts: goalkeeper Hayakawa, defender Tsunashima Yuto (Tokyo V), midfielder Tanaka Satoshi (Hiroshima), midfielder Uno Zento (Shimizu), and forward Hara Daichi (Kyoto). Defender Nagatomo Yuto (FC Tokyo) also started off with three backs left. This is his first appearance since the FIFA World Cup match in Qatar on December 5th, 2020, when he played in the 143th International A match. At 38 years and 303 days, Kawamoto Yasuzo's 40 years and 106 days, and Kawashima Eiji's 39 years and 82 days, making him third in all time. Ramos Rui's age 38 and 181 days passed.

Japan pushed in from the beginning of the match, looking for a chance. In the 11th minute of the first half, Hosoya showed his natural decisiveness. He received a vertical pass from midfielder Tanaka near the penalty area, and then missed the opponent's defender with a one-trap, and while he turned it on, he scored the left side of the goal with a right volley. He scored a strong core-like goal for Hosoya, making his third goal in eight international A matches. I immediately met my expectations.

If anyone took it, the guardian replied with a super save. In the 17th minute of the first half, Hayakawa was in a 1-1 crisis after a response error between the defenders. He was hit with a decisive shot, but he jumped to the left and made a super save. He also showed off his solid defense that stands out in J1 this season on the national team.

In the 44th minute of the first half, 18-year-old midfielder Sato Ryunosuke (Okayama), who started the first pitcher in the national team after a through pass from midfielder Tanaka, had a great opportunity, but he had no angle and his shot was blocked by the Chinese goalkeeper. He was the youngest player in national team history to score.

In the second half, when they were headed by one point, manager Moriyasu dropped Hara Daichi (Kyoto) and Tanaka, and brought in midfielder Inagaki Sho (Nagoya), who scored one goal, just like Jermain Ryo (Hiroshima), who scored four goals against Hong Kong. They were forced to score an additional goal.

Amidst the struggles of China's intense duel, an additional goal was created in the 18th minute of the second half. Wingback Tawara Shigeta Kota (FC Tokyo) cut in from the left side and handed a pass to right wingback Mochizuki Henry Kaiki (Machida). Mochizuki received the ticket and cut in. The ball swings his left foot from outside the box, and the angle of the ball hit the defender's leg and shakes the goal net. Their first goal in their second match of the national team extended their lead to 2-0.

After that, he grabbed the ball and proceeded with the clock without rushing to attack. In the end, China brought in Brazilian forward Serginho, formerly a member of Kashima, to counterattack, but the defender line, centered on Ueda and Tsunashima, was stable. Captain Nagatomo continues to inspire, and Hayakawa is in the back, with a big presence, and although he is unable to score the third goal, he casually managed to maintain a two-point lead.

In pursuit of a consecutive victory in the tournament, they were forced to clash with rival South Korea in the final match.

[Japan National Team]Nagatomo Yuto plays the full game for the first time in 2 years and 7 months, wins 2-0 against China E-1 Championship/Details