NEWS

Shinji Okazaki struck twice, while Shinji Kagawa, Yuji Nakazawa and Michihiro Yasuda each scored once as Japan downed Finland 5-1 in a Kirin Challenge Cup friendly match at the National Stadium in Tokyo on Wednesday evening.

Preparing for next week’s World Cup qualifier against Australia, Japan rebounded well after their 1-0 loss away to Bahrain in an Asian Cup qualifier last week.
Japan coach Takeshi Okada brought back midfielder Yasuhito Endo and defender Marcus Tulio Tanaka following their recovery from injuries and Endo inspired his team’s play in midfield alongside Gamba Osaka teammate Hideo Hashimoto and Kawasaki Frontale midfielder Kengo Nakamura. In defense, Urawa Reds center-back Tulio added more security.
Okazaki put Japan ahead in the 15th minute when he latched on to a feed from Atsuto Uchida and outpaced the Finish defenders for the opening goal.
Finland, looking towards a World Cup qualifier against Wales on March 28, came close in the 26th minute when midfielder Tim Sparv hit the bar from mid-range.
But Okazaki helped Japan widen their lead in the 32nd minute with a shot after latching onto a pass from Nakamura.
With Japan taking the initiative, Kagawa then found the target with a solo effort. The Cerezo Osaka midfielder pounced on some poor Finnish defensive play, lobbed a defender, beat another and fired the ball home from the edge of the box.
Finland replied five minutes after the break through midfielder Roni Porokara, who capitalized on a weak punch by Japan goalkeeper Ryota Tsuzuki following a Jari Litmanen corner.
That led to a mini revival for the visitors, but Japan went further ahead in the 57th minute when defender Nakazawa headed home an Uchida cross after a corner kick.
Gamba Osaka full-back Yasuda, a second-half substitute, completed the scoring for the home team four minutes from time by cutting inside and unleashing a shot from outside the box.
Okada commented: “There were some parts that I was pleased with about our performance, but there were other parts that I wasn’t so pleased with. Against Australia, we will have to work harder. But some of our players did better than I expected. That’s certainly a positive thing for us.”
“The game against Australia will be different from today’s game, but I’m really looking forward to playing them,” Okada added.
Finland coach Stuart Baxter said: “The Japanese team played very well, and their movement and passing were very good. I’m disappointed that we gave away such easy goals. On the other hand, I’m pleased with the performance from our younger players Tim Sparv, Roni Porokara and Teemu Pukki.”
Baxter, formerly boss of Sanfrecce Hiroshima and Vissel Kobe, continued: “If we hadn’t conceded such cheap goals, I would have been quite pleased with some of the positives. As it is, the players are very disappointed. But it’s been a great experience for them. In the long term, it will be very good for Finnish football.”
Japan will next play Australia on Wednesday in a World Cup final-round qualifier at International Stadium Yokohama.

Teams:

Japan—Ryota Tsuzuki, Yuji Nakazawa, Marcus Tulio Tanaka (Kazumichi Takagi, 55th), Yuto Nagatomo, Atsuto Uchida (Yuichi Komano, 72nd), Hideo Hashimoto, Yasuhito Endo (Yasuyuki Konno, 77th), Kengo Nakamura, Shinji Kagawa (Michihiro Yasuda, 81st), Keiji Tamada (Seiichiro Maki, 84th), Shinji Okazaki. Coach, Takeshi Okada
Finland—Tomi Maanoja, Markus Halsti, Toni Kuivasto, Joni Aho, Tuomo Turunen (Jukka Raitala, 55th), Tim Sparv, Roni Porokara, Kari Arkivuo (Perparim Hetemaj, 85th), Jussi Kujala (Mehmet Hetemaj, ht), Jari Litmanen (Teemu Pukki, 68th), Niklas Tarvajarvi (Jarno Parikka, 77th). Coach, Stuart Baxter
Goals—Shinji Okazaki (15th, 32nd), Shinji Kagawa (44th), Yuji Nakazawa (57th) and Michihiro Yasuda (86th) for Japan. Roni Porokara (50th) for Finland.
Cautions—None
Expulsions—None
Attendance—34,532
Referee—Huang Junjie (China)