NEWS

DOHA – Three-time Asian champions Japan had a tough start to the AFC Asian Cup campaign, drawing 1-1 with Jordan in their opening Group B match on Sunday at Qatar Sports Club in Doha.
Japan fell behind after Hasan Abdel Fattah scored shortly before the break, but Maya Yoshida equalized in second-half stoppage time.

It was the first meeting of the two teams since their 2004 Asian Cup quarterfinal clash, which Japan won on penalties following a 1-1 draw.
Although Japan enjoyed the greater possession in the game – their first match since October – they struggled to find the target, despite various changes by coach Alberto Zaccheroni.

Japan’s first notable chance came in the 20th minute when Shinji Kagawa took a pass from Keisuke Honda, cut inside on the left and delivered a fine cross for Daisuke Matsui at the far post. But Jordan goalkeeper Amer Shafi made a strong punch to clear the danger.
Five minutes later, midfielder Makoto Hasebe hit a powerful shot from 25 meters that Shafi saved. Yoshida put the rebound into the net, but he was called offside.
In the 40th minute, Borussia Dortmund attacker Kagawa had a great chance when he broke free in the box, but Shafi reacted well to save his shot.

Jordan played defensively and tried to use Amer Deeb’s forays on the right to launch counterattacks.
The Jordanians came close in the 29th minute when Fattah connected with an Abdallah Deeb pass, but Japan goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima had no trouble handling the shot.
Jordan’s tactics paid off in the last minute of the first half. Amer got the ball on the right and cut inside, feeding Fattah, whose 20-meter shot deflected off the foot of Yoshida past Kawashima.
Boosted by the goal, Jordan were able to play more aggressive football after the break.

Japan boss Zaccheroni brought on forward Tadanari Lee for Ryoichi Maeda at halftime and Shimizu S-Pulse striker Shinji Okazaki for midfielder Daisuke Matsui in the 58th minute.
Okazaki’s arrival boosted Japan’s attack and the Samurai Blue came close in the 63rd minute when Hasebe connected with an Okazaki cross, only to see his first-time shot go the wrong side of the post.
Six minutes later, Okazaki had a shot but also couldn’t find the target, while Honda’s effort in the 79th minute went straight at Shafi in the Jordan goal.
But Japan were attacking hard and in the first minute of stoppage time, Hasebe sent a cross to the far post after a short corner and Yoshida rose high to power a header into the net.

Japan will next play Syria on January 13 at the same venue.