CB: Ko Itakura - 6/10 - A fine performance, although Japan weren't tested much. RB: Miki Yamane - 6/10 - Solid at right-back, but gave way for Mitoma as Japan pushed for a winner. GK: Shuichi Gonda 5/10 - Hardly tested all game, then found himself off his line and out of position for Costa Rica's first shot on target. Germany, meanwhile, have no points, although they could level the group up entirely with a win over Spain this evening. The result means Spain, Japan and Costa Rica all sit on three points in Group E, with Spain having played one game fewer. It was the culmination of a frustrating day for Japan, who were sloppy with their passing and failed to open up a resolute Costa Rican defence. Japanese goalkeeper Shuichi Gonda was notably out of position when the shot came in, leaving him unable to prevent Fuller's strike from finding the net. The change seemed to work as intended, with Japan seeing more of the ball and looking considerably more likely to create something as the second half wore on.īut just ten minutes from time, Costa Rica took a shock lead with their first shot on target as Fuller curled home on his left foot from the edge of the box. Japan moved to a back three of their own after the interval, perhaps looking to push their full-backs up higher to stretch the opposition's defence, and it almost paid dividends straight after the restart when substitute Takuma Asano found space and forced a save from Keylor Navas. The move worked well, limiting Japan's chances and frustrating them throughout the first half as they failed time and time again to find an inch of space behind the Costa Rican back line. Having pulled off a shock win of their own over Germany in their first match, the Samurai Blue looked all but certain to make it out of their group, with a win over Costa Rica enough to seal their place in the last 16.īut Keysher Fuller's late strike and Japan's failure to create meaningful chances means the group still remains in the balance, with Germany and Spain set for a crunch meeting later on Sunday.Įager to avoid a repeat of their humiliating 7-0 defeat against Spain in their first match, Costa Rica quickly dropped into a compact 5-4-1 shape and gave their opponents little room to manoeuvre. Japan failed to ensure their qualification from Group E of this World Cup as they fell to a surprise defeat at the hands of Costa Rica on Sunday.
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