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10 June 2023
Japan 0-2 Panama : Post-game reactions
In a fairly tight match, Panama surprised Japan (0-2) and provisionally took the lead in Group C. Here are the post-game reactions from the coaches and players of both teams.
Kazunori Jo (Japan head coach) :
« In a nutshell, it was quite a difficult match for the players. I completely changed the starting line-up, but that was planned from the start. I came to France to take part in the Maurice Revello Tournament with 23 players, so there are no starters and no substitutes. There were a few players on the pitch today who didn't play at all in the first match. Some of them may not have been very comfortable.
Of course, we absolutely have to win for the rest of the competition. We need to analyse Ivory Coast. But before that, we have to give it our best shot. So I'm putting the counter back to zero so that we can get off to a better start in the next match. »
Kohtaro Nagata (Japan player) :
« Physically, I'm not very big. It's true that their power caused me problems. I'd like to stand up to them and defend well against them. Obviously, it wasn't easy.
We should have taken more initiative with our shots. I think there were times when it was possible, but we hesitated too much. Personally, I would have liked to have been more attacking. Maybe we lacked some power up front. »
Jorge Dely Valdés (Panama head coach):
« It's an important win, we beat a great team. We knew that if we won we'd be provisional leaders. That's what we want.
Qualification depends on us, and we have to win our next match against Morocco if we want to finish top of the group. All the same, we're hoping for a good result between Ivory Coast and Morocco later today.
I'm pleased with the performance of my players. I was surprised because we made a lot of changes and even modified the system of play compared to the first match against Ivory Coast. »
Rodrigo Tello (Panama player):
« It was a complicated match against a very strong and well-organised opponent, but we were able to take advantage of small details to score and win this game.
The coach's instructions were to be well structured defensively so that afterwards we midfielders could get forward and take our chances.
We're going to prepare for the rest of the tournament, which is very important for us. Our aim is to finish as winners and fly our country's flag as high as possible. »
