FR
EN
31 mai 2018
Japan erase the Portuguese hopes
Wonderful game between both teams of group C this Thursday in a crowded Jules Ladoumègue stadium of Vitrolles. Japan won 3-2 thanks to an thrilling second half. Perseverant, they went out of this game victorious with only 10 men.
A game that made sparks ! An opposition with a lot of rebounds and beautiful technical gestures, which gathered ambitious and motivated players. Whereas the Portuguese outshined the beginning of the game, the Asians don’t let them do.
The first half was played on a good rythm, composed of rebounds as many in Japanese side as Portuguese side. João Felipe, on fire today, missed several chances. A lack of efficacy quickly rectified by a good left foot shot from Silva Luis that opened the score for Portugal (32th minute). While Portugal took the advantage, Yokouchi’s team was back in the game and scored the equalizer with a beautiful pass from Miyoshi that Tagawa sent into the Portuguese net (36th minute).
The second half started slowly. Portuguese players kept the ball. Their strategy paid : after some good opportunities they missed in first half, the number 7 João Filipe scored a screamer, as he fired a free-kick into the top corner. Japanese players reacted to this advantage earned by Portugal. They were more high on the pitch, pressed and thanks to Ueda, scored a second goal to equalize on a pass from Endo. But the Japanese don’t stop yhere and, more powerful than ever, they took the lead with a penalty kick in the last minute scored by the number 13 Ueda. Yokouchi’s men take an important option on qualification.
Orane Guisset
Credits photo : Helene Dos Santos
Japan - Portugal : 3 - 2
Matchday 2 - Group C
Stade Jules Ladoumègue
Goals : Silva (32'), Felipe (72') for Portugal / Tagawa (36'), Ueda (77', 88') for Japan
Japan : Yamaguchin Nakayama, Itakura, Tomiyasu, Hatsure, Miyoshi (Obi, 70'), Tagawa (Ueda, 66'), Matsumoto, Miroshima (Mitoma, 54'), Suga (Endo, 45'), Hashioka
Coach : Yokouchi Akinobu
Portugal : Virgnia, Moura, Correira Romain, Silva, Vinagre, Luis (Correia Pedro, 78'), Filipe, Teixeira (Quina, 64'), Gomes, Tavares (Valente, 73'), Baldes (Trincao, 57')
Coach : Sousa Hélio
Referees : Mr Farrugia Can (MAL), assisted by Mr Camilleri et Mr Francalanza (MAL)
