NEWS

Japan downed Guatemala 2-1 in a Kirin Challenge Cup friendly international on Tuesday night at Nagai Track and Field Stadium in Osaka.

Catania forward Takayuki Morimoto struck twice in the first 20 minutes before Guatemala responded with a goal from Mario Rodriguez in the 22nd minute.
Following Saturday’s 1-0 win over Paraguay in Yokohama, Japan’s caretaker coach Hiromi Hara replaced six of his starting lineup, bringing in Daiki Iwamasa and Tomoaki Makino at the back, Cerezo Osaka midfielder Takashi Inui and Gamba Osaka midfielder Hideo Hashimoto.
The new-look team played aggressively early on and pressured their opponents with fast attacks, which paid off with an early goal.
In the 12th minute, Morimoto rose to head home a fine Yuto Nagatomo cross at the near post, giving Guatemala goalkeeper Ricardo Trigueno no chance.
In the 20th minute, Dortmund midfielder Shinji Kagawa was set free in the box by a precision pass from Keisuke Honda. As Kagawa’s shot bobbled across the goal, Morimoto was on hand to deliver the finishing touch.
A minute later, Honda came close after being set up by Inui, but his shot from the edge of the box went straight to Trigueno.
Japan suffered a setback moments later when Guatemala midfielder Carlos Castillo intercepted a ball from Hideo Hashimoto and quickly fed Mario Rodriguez. The Guatemala forward unleashed a fierce shot from just outside the box that was too hot for Japan goalkeeper Seigo Narazaki to handle.
Guatemala had mid-range attempts from midfielder Erwin Aguilar in the 26th minute and defender Carlos Gallardo in the 38th minute, but provided little threat to Narazaki’s goal.
Japan had a good chance again before halftime when Cezena full-back Nagatomo cut into the box and hit a shot from 10 meters, but the ball went into the side netting, disappointing the 44,541 fans at Nagai Track and Field Stadium.
Japan created more chances in the second half through substitutes Jungo Fujimoto, Kengo Nakamura and Shinji Okazaki, but the home team was unable to score again.
Guatemala coach Ever Hugo Almeida, who has been in the job for only two months, said: “We just looked at our opponents for the first 20 minutes and gave them the freedom to play. Their first goal changed the course of the game, but our players were well-motivated, which bodes well for the future. So, overall, I think this was a good start for us.”
Hara said: “We moved well early in the game and scored two goals, but we couldn’t get a third. After that, we lost our rhythm and let our opponents score.”
Hara completed his job as interim boss with two wins.
“We had World Cup players plus some younger players for these two games and got the results, which was good,” he said.
“Coach [Alberto] Zaccheroni was able to stay with us and look at how we train and organize our camp. That will help them prepare for our next games [in October], and it was a good opportunity to hand over the reins to him.”
Zaccheroni commented, “The game was very good, as Japan had good control. I’m satisfied with the result, too. We could have made it 3-1. It didn’t feel like we changed six players from the previous game.
“It is not easy to attack when eight of your opponents are playing defensively, but Japan had the character to play their game.”
“It was a good opportunity for me to actually see the 23 players we have on the squad, and I am satisfied with their technique and professionalism. I would like see them play with their clubs before our next game in October.”
The Italian coach continued, “After attending these games, I have a stronger feeling of responsibility as coach and would like to work with the team with passion to meet the expectations of our fans.”