Japan’s poor performance disappointed around 5,000 local fans who were allowed to watch the game in the stadium after the crowd was reduced due to virus restrictions.
Published: September 02, 2021 21:29 |
Last updated: September 02, 2021 9:29 PM
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TOKYO: Oman stunned Japan in the opening game of the last World Cup qualifying round on Thursday and won 1-0 thanks to a goal by Issam Al Sabhi in the closing minutes.
Japan’s shocking home defeat in Group B came after the Samurai Blue dominated the preliminary rounds with eight out of eight wins.
After a goalless first half in the rainy Panasonic Stadium in Osaka, the hosts sent the young stars Takefusa Kubo and Ritsu Doan, both of whom had participated in the Olympic Games joined the national team in Tokyo.
But Oman broke the Japanese defensive line several times and Al Sabhi scored the winning goal in the 88th minute – just minutes after he got off the bench.
« Thank God. We achieved a good result. We worked very hard together, « he said at a press conference.
Japan’s poor performance disappointed around 5,000 local fans who saw the game in the stadium, after the audience was reduced due to virus restrictions.
« We lost as we should lose, » he said. « Our pace was bad. Our combination was bad. Really bad. »
Japan, Asia’s top-ranked team, are aiming for their seventh consecutive appearance at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
The two best teams each Group qualify for the World Cup, and the third-placed team up against each other to have the chance of a place in the intercontinental play-offs.
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