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23 May 2016
Two in a row for Portugal against Japan
After fifteen minutes of observation, the first chance was for Portugal. At the enter of the box, Baldé intented a shot, but Nakamura blocked it without any danger (18'). However, Edgard Borges' team didn't have to wait a lot before to score. After a wonderful deflection by Ribeiro, Horta strikes a powerful volley directly on the net (1-0, 22'). Surely the most beautiful goal since the start of the competition. Japan tried to react. Their first chance came just before the break. Asano found the post after a good attempt (38').
Makoto Teguramori's team kept pressure to equalize. Ueda's header was saved by Peireira (52') before Notsuda's shot was deflected, maybe with the hand, by a Portuguese defender. The referee chose to not whistle penalty (62'). But not enough to worry Portugal defense, very solid today. Lusitanians get a second win a row and stay in the run for the qualify, before facing Paraguay on friday. Second loss in three days for Japan, who will play against Guinea and England for their last two games.
Japan-Portugal : 0-1 (0-1)
Matchday 3 - Group B
Goals : Horta (22')
Japan : Nakamura, Van Vermeskerken, Miura, Ueda, Ohshima, Onaiwu (Togashi, 65'), Yajima (C) (Notsuda, 41'), Mitsumaru, Asano (Kamada, 70'), Ideguchi (Maeda, 80'), Minamino. Coach : Makoto Teguramori
Portugal : Peireira, Dias, Verdasca, Costa (Fernandes 60'), Baldé (Macedo 60'), Ribeiro (C) (A. Silva, 72'), Joao Silva, Horta (Gamboa, 74'), Rui Silva, Rodrigues, Henirique. Coach : Edgar Borges
Mathieu Lauricella
