LIVE Japan 0-1 Spain, FIFA World Cup: Morata scores, Qatar 2022 updates

23’

Spain has taken simply 11 seconds to get well the ball after dropping possession, whereas Japan has taken 72 seconds — one thing that tells lots in regards to the story of the sport to date.

21’

The Samurai Blues have 5 males on the again as they give the impression of being to cease Spain of their tracks. Olmo, Spain’, nevertheless, has chosen to construct assaults within the center to date, with Gavi delivering trough passes into the field.

18’

Spain continues to construct from the again as Japan sits sequestered in its personal half whereas Japanese followers go all of the extra raucous on the Khalifa International Stadium.

15’

Spain marches up the pitch, with mixture play from Gavi, Pedri and Busquets and flashes of the Barcelona chemistry is clear within the staff as La Furia Roja enjoys possession within the match.

10’

Spain strolling on skinny ice with the again passes as Maeda presses excessive up the pitch, however Enrique’s aspect absorbs the stress effectively, and retains management over the ball, with Pedri pulling strings within the midfield.

7’

Shot! Nico Williams makes a run alongside the correct flank, and crosses within the centre, which is cleared by Japan, however it will definitely falls for Busquets, who shoots from distance and the ball flies over the online.

4’

Maeda will get the ball within the midfield, and passes to Kubo, who makes a powerful run alongside the correct flank and crosses to the centre. However, Spain tracks again and clears the ball out of hazard.

3’

Japan steals possession finally however a defensive error awards Nico Williams the ball and La Furia Roja will get again the bal, palying in brief passes but once more.

2’

Spain begins the match with its standard strategy of dominating possession and has not allowed Japan to have a contact on the ball within the first one and half minutes of the sport.

Time to script historical past for Japan?

Japan and Spain have met simply as soon as this century with the Spaniards successful that mate in 2001, which was a global pleasant. Or will or not it’s the final match for the Samurai Blues within the FIFA World Cup.

Japan vs Spain head-to head: April 25, 2001: Japan 0-1 Spain (International Friendly)

MATCH PREVIEW

After conceding late to overlook out on a victory in opposition to Germany, Spain finds itself with some work left to do in opposition to Japan to ensure its spot within the spherical of 16 on the World Cup.

The Spaniards doen’t want a lot, although, as a result of a draw on Thursday will likely be sufficient, and even a loss might permit the staff to advance relying on the opposite Group E end result between Germany and Costa Rica.

Japan doesn’t have it as simple, however a win will assure the Japanese a spot within the knockout stage for the second straight time. It can be the primary time Japan advances previous the group stage in back-to-back tournaments. If Japan loses, although, the staff will head residence.

“It’s going to be a high-pressure game for our players,” Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu mentioned Wednesday. “But we must believe in ourselves. The players must believe in themselves and they must believe in their teammates in order to fight against our opponent. Hopefully they will be able to do their best and the result will come.”

The Japanese opened their marketing campaign with a shocking win over four-time champion Germany earlier than dropping to Costa Rica. They have been eradicated by Belgium within the final 16 in Russia.

Spain, which conceded an 83rd-minute equalizer in opposition to Germany, may additionally go residence with a loss if Costa Rica beats the Germans or if the Germans win massive to beat Spain’s purpose distinction after its 7-0 opening win over Costa Rica.

A victory at Khalifa International Stadium will assure Spain first place within the group, and maintain it on monitor for a doable matchup with five-time champion Brazil within the quarterfinals.

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“Hopefully we will get to face Brazil, because that would mean that we finished in first place in our group,” Spain coach Luis Enrique mentioned. “To win a World Cup you need to beat every team, so we are not going to try to avoid anyone.”

Spain enters the ultimate spherical with 4 factors, another than each Japan and Costa Rica. Germany has one level.

“We are not thinking about our opponents in the knockout rounds,” Spain midfielder Koke Resurrección mentioned. “We need to beat Japan first and then we’ll see which team we’ll have to play against. If it’s Brazil in the quarterfinals, so be it, and we’ll try to prepare for it as best as possible.”

Germany’s probabilities of staying alive in Qatar will largely rely on Spain successful its match in opposition to Japan. Then a victory over Costa Rica can be sufficient for the Germans.

What might not assist Germany is the truth that Luis Enrique might rotate a few of his gamers after making just one change from the primary to the second recreation — Dani Carvajal coming in for César Azpilicueta at proper again.

Teenager Gavi, who began within the first two matches, skilled individually from the group after the 1-1 draw with Germany due to a minor knee damage. He was anticipated to be obtainable for Thursday’s match however was not more likely to begin.

Another midfielder anticipated to be rested is 34-year-old Sergio Busquets, the one remaining participant from Spain’s World Cup-winning squad in 2010. Striker Álvaro Morata, who scored a purpose in every of the primary two matches after coming off the bench, may get a spot within the beginning lineup in opposition to Japan.

The under-23 squads of Spain and Japan met within the semifinals of final yr’s Tokyo Olympics, when Spain superior earlier than finally dropping to Brazil within the remaining. Several gamers from these squads made their senior groups in Qatar, together with Marco Asensio, who scored Spain’s winner in further time within the semifinals in opposition to Japan, and Takefusa Kubo, who performs for Real Sociedad within the Spanish league.

“Hopefully,” he joked, “if we win the World Cup we can put on a concert.”

(From AP)