Mucahit Can Akcay, who came off the bench with 20 minutes remaining, leads his country to a 2-1 win over Japan as he netted a brace during a game full of unexpected developments.Turkey start their Festival in the best way.
It’s called winning coaching. Turkey had suffered from the beginning of the repeated assaults of this brave Japanese, very disciplined and superior technically. They were led 1-0 since the 44th minute as they conceded a goal from the in-form Miyoshi (Hokkaido Consadde Sapporo, JAP) following a well-guided counter-attack (0-1, 44e). Nothing let think that the Muzaffer Bilazer boys were going to be back on the track. But it was without taking into account this beautiful entry of Mucahit Can Akcay (Selcukspor, TUR)...
Only one minute after his appearance, the player of Selcukspor has benefited from an hesitation in the Japanese defense to recover the ball and beat Louis Takaji Julien Yamaguch with a powerful strike (1-1, 61e). Sure of their strength since the start of the match, the Japanese are devastated. They don’t stop pulling back and even concede a penalty a few minutes away before the final whistle after a handball.
The Turkish striker Kubilay Kanatsizkus takes his responsibilities but sees his shot rejected by the Japanese goalie (1-1, 72nd). However, Japan take a breather only a few moments.
Three minutes later, Mucahit Can Akcay, fires a volley. The shooting seems without danger but Louis Takaji Julien Yamaguchi makes a terrible mistake. The ball bounces on him and ends its running at the bottom of the net (2-1, 75th). Interesting during all the match, the Japanese didn't equalize. Turkey takes possession of Group C !
Turkey - Japan : 2-1
Matchday 1 - Group C
Stade Jules Ladoumègue, Vitrolles
Goals : Akcay (61e , 75e) for Turkey ; Miyoshi (44e) for Japan
Turkey : Sengezer, Polat, Dursun, Kardes (Akcay 60e), Demiral, Cankaya, Alici (Ozturk 70e), Kanatsizkus, Durmus (Canbaz 49e), Demibag, Alpsoy (Ozfesli 49e)
Coach : Bilazer Muzaffer
Japan : Yamaguchi, Fujitani, Nakayama, Itakura, Tomiyasu, Hatsuse, Inoue (Sugioka 53e), Ogawa (Tagawa 68e), Miyoshi, Morishima (Endo 74e), Shiihashi (Ueda 78e)
Coach : Yokouchi Akinobu
Referees : M.Ortiz Nava, assisté par M.Camargo et M.Quintero.