If football does not normally follow logic, in a World Cup any sensible bet is blown up. Japan seemed like a giant in the hands of the weak Costa Rica, but at the moment of truth, the Japanese got stuck before the defensive framework of the ‘tikos’ and they wasted a magnificent opportunity to qualify on the fast track. Now, they will have to play it against Spain in the last day, while Costa Rica is hooked in a surprising way. Luis Fernando Suárez’s men made the most of their only shot on goal. Incredible.
Not a single shot on goal in the first 45 minutes. The data says it all. Nothing of the overwhelming Japan that gave the bell against Germany in the debut. Costa Rica, for its part, was going to improve its performance with respect to the humiliating defeat conceded against Spain as soon as it did. Luis Fernando Suárez’s men showed discipline, entrenched themselves well behind with five defenders and looked for the lanes and inspiration from Joel Campbell. He did not give them in the first 45 minutes to generate chances, but he did to control the Japanese, totally stuck.
Disappointing first half
He may have his reasons, but it is curious that Hajime Moriyasu, the Japanese coach, decided to make four changes to a team that had worked very well. Morita’s for Sakai, more forced by the inconvenience of the Urawa Red Diamonds right-back, but Tanaka, Junya Ito and Take Kubo were also left out. On the other hand, Costa Rica hardly changed, only two changes, those of Waston and Torres for Carlos Martínez and Bennette, but a very different mentality.
It soon became apparent that it was going to be a more even match than expected and the ‘Tikos’ fans present at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium gave hope shouting ‘yes, we can’. The color was in the stands, because on the grass, very little. Japanese dominance, but very little clarity of ideas, just a dangerous cross from Ritsu Doan at 13 minutes that did not find a finisher. And a little more. Keylor Navas blocked two balls without any danger and the minutes went by with nothing to put in his mouth. A disappointing first half.
Fuller goal
Hiroki Ito and the very fast Asano came on at the restart, Japan passed to the defense of three central defenders and the Japanese put three more marches on the game. The result, a first great occasion only thirty seconds after starting. Asano wall with Morita and shot by the latter to get it out by Keylor Navas with many difficulties. Afterwards, it was Endo who tested it. The Asian team collapsed and Costa Rica began to lose the seams. A much more consistent script than expected.
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The ‘tikos’ endured, without a doubt much more competitive, despite their obvious shortcomings, than on the day of the premiere. Soma’s cross shot deflected, then a very dangerous free kick came up. Japan seemed closer to the first, but football often does not pay attention to logic. Costa Rica stretched ten minutes to go to see what would happen and what happened is that it turned the game upside down. Fuller received inside the area and a lob came out with his left foot that completely misled Gonda. He missed the Japanese goal, who could barely touch it. A shot on goal, a goal. Spectacular efficiency.
desperately, but the ‘samurais’ were close to equalizing, but then the figure of Keylor Navas appeared, who went from reviled to savior, when she parried Kamada’s shot and then stuck out her arm in the hubbub inside the area. Costa Rica achieved what no one could have imagined. Pura vida in the World of surprises.