On Thursday 17 January, the SAMURAI BLUE (Japan National Team) played their final group stage match of the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019, where they faced the Uzbekistan National Team at Khalifa Bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain. With the help of goals scored by MUTO Yoshinori (Newcastle United) and SHIOTANI Tsukasa (Al Ain FC), the team won the match 2-1 to advance through to the round of 16 as the group leaders with three consecutive victory in Group F.

With the match played between the two undefeated teams who has already secured their spot into the next round, Japan needed a win in order to finish in first place of the group.

Coach MORIYASU Hajime, who has expressed his aspiration to “Showcase a total team effort of the Japanese team,” the starting line-up on this day featured 10 new players from their second match against Oman. While forward KITAGAWA Koya (Shimizu S-Pulse) was the only player to remain in the starting line-up, seven players, such as INUI Takashi (Real Betis), MUROYA Sei (F.C. Tokyo), and SCHMIDT Daniel (Vegalta Sendai), made their first tournament appearance. For Shiotani, the match was held at his home field of his club team, while he joined his former teammate AOYAMA Toshihiro (Sanfrecce Hiroshima) in the defensive midfield position. It was Muto and Kitagawa who played upfront in this match.

Just as Coach Moriyasu mentioned prior to the match, “I want my players to stay on the same page,” the match started off with the Japanese side displaying great combinations, allowing midfielder ITO Junya (Kashiwa Reysol) to break through the right flank multiple times.

In the 19th minute, Kitagawa responded to a cross delivered to the middle, followed by Inui taking a shot off the loose ball. Kitagawa struck a shot in the 35th minute when he received the ball from Shiotani, but in both occasions, the shot went off the target.

While Japan rotated most of their players from the previous match, Uzbekistan also changed five players from their starting line-up against Turkmenistan. With the team consisting players who featured the U-23 side that won over Japan 4-0 in last year’s AFC U-23 Championship quarterfinals, led by Javokhir SIDIKOV and Dostonbek KHAMDAMOV, the Uzbek side initiated numbers of sharp counter attacks. In the 16th minute, forward Eldor SHOMURODOV, who has scored three goals in the past two matches, combined well with Khamdamov to threaten the Japanese goal.

The opening goal came in the 40th minute, when Khamdamov shook off the Japanese defence to deliver the final pass to Shomurodov, who carried the ball up the right side before flicking the ball into the right corner of the Japanese goal.

Despite conceding the first goal, Japan responded quickly. Just three minutes after giving up the lead, Muroya broke through the right flank before sending a cross towards the goal. It was Muto who connected with this delivery and shook the net of the Uzbek goal with a powerful header.

With the match entering halftime tied at 1-1, it was Japan who took the initiative in the second half. Ito made his presence felt in the right flank, as he created close opportunities in both the 54th and 56th minute.

The golden moment came in the 58th minute following a long ball delivered by Muroya from the right side. After the ball was cleared by the Uzbek defence, it was Shiotani who reacted to the loose ball and struck a pin-point shot that pierced the right side of the goal to give Japan the long-awaited lead.

Now down by a goal, Uzbekistan responded by making offensive substitutions to level the match. With the group lead at stake, they made efforts to create opportunities to take shots, but struggled to create a major chance.

Japan also utilised their substitutions by bringing in HARAGUCHI Genki (Hannover 96) and ENDO Wataru (Sint-Truidense V.V.) to maintain their lead, followed by a last-minute change to bring in TOMIYASU Takehiro (Sint-Truidense V.V.) to seal the match. Uzbekistan came close to equalising the match in the 86th minute, when Davron HASHIMOV struck a powerful shot from distance, but the Japanese goalkeeper Schmidt made a superb save to keep their lead intact, handing his side a 2-1 victory at their final group stage match.

Japan will now face Saudi Arabia, the runners-up of Group E, at the round of 16, where the match will take place at Sharjah on Monday 21 January.

Coaches and Players' Comments

MORIYASU Hajime, Coach of SAMURAI BLUE (Japan National Team)
Our goal was to advance through to the knockout stage by winning all the matches in the group stage, and our players did a great job to make that happen. We faced a very tough and difficult match today, but we were able to showcase a total team effort that gave us this win. The players showed strong intentions to win the match, and this will give us great momentum heading into the knockout stage. We faced some tough stretches during this match and conceded the opening goal, but the players kept working hard with their chin up. Their patience had led to the equaliser and the go-ahead goal in the second half. It’s evident that our fitness level has improved over the course of this tournament as well. This match has allowed us to heighten the team condition and game intuition, which will help us through the upcoming matches. The competition will intensify from here on, so we must prepare ourselves with a strong intention to compete against these strong opponents.

DF #3 MUROYA Sei (F.C. Tokyo)
This was a match we couldn’t afford to lose. With the team rotating the starting line-up, I had a strong intention to win the match, so I am very happy to make that in reality. It was certainly a tough match, but with the team staying focused for the entire match, we managed to advance through to the knockout stage as the group leader. When I delivered the cross to Muto, I saw the opposing fullback making an approach towards our back pass, so I was confident that I can penetrate the space behind him. I was visualising to deliver a lobbing cross into the space that was outside of the goalkeeper’s reach. I feel like we were able to make a positive statement that we can all contribute for the team.

DF #18 SHIOTANI Tsukasa (Al Ain FC)
I totally blanked out when I scored the goal. As a defensive midfielder, I was anticipating to take shots when I am given the opportunity, so I am glad that I was able to showcase one of my strong points. For the main part, I was focusing on making defensive approaches to deny our opponents from creating opportunities and to collect the second balls. Aoyama allowed me to play freely and I had lots of fun. It was a game where we had to prove that we can also earn results. This has been an incredible day for me that I will never forget.

MF #17 AOYAMA Toshihiro (Sanfrecce Hiroshima)
We were able to carry on the momentum we gained by winning the second match and securing our spot into the next round. Despite conceding a goal, it meant a lot that we were able to bounce back from it, as this victory has given us great confidence. We have started to function as a team and the players showed great cohesion to create this match. I feel like we were able to display a great performance at both the individual and team level. Shiotani did a great job to help me out which meant a lot for me.

FW #13 MUTO Yoshinori (Newcastle United)
In the scene where I scored the goal, Kitagawa did a great job to distract the defenders and the cross delivered by Muroya was right on the mark, so I just had to tap the ball in. It’s been a while since I scored a goal, and it gave me a huge sense of relief. In many ways, that goal was huge for me. I was struggling dearly because of the goal drought, but Haraguchi told me before the match to just be myself and let the goal come to me. His words gave me great inspiration and I am very thankful of his kindness.

Hector CUPER, Coach of Uzbekistan National Team
This result is very disappointing, but it was a close match and I am satisfied with our performance. Our players gave their very best in this match. Japan showed great agility and their pressure was quick and efficient. Although we created many opportunities, but we failed to convert them. Towards the end of the match, we had a very close chance, but the Japanese goalkeeper made an excellent save. This loss will not affect us in the future matches. We will learn from this match and utilise it to improve our performance.

Schedule

SAMURAI BLUE (Japan National Team) Squad, Schedule

AFC ASIAN CUP UAE 2019

Tournament Dates: Sat. 5 January - Fri. 1 February 2019

Knockout Stage Round of 16:
Mon. 21 January Kick-off 20:00 (Japan Time)
vs Saudi Arabia National Team

Broadcasting: Televised Live at TV Asahi Group
BS Broadcasting: Televised Live at NHKBS1

Tournament Information