Japan edge past Turkmenistan 3-2
abu dhabi — Yuya Osako scored twice as Japan overcame a spirited Turkmenistan side 3-2 to claim three points in the AFC Asian Cup Group F opening match in Abu Dhabi.
It was a brave performance by Turkmenistan but they couldn’t hold onto their first-half lead and fell to defeat as strikes from Osako and Ritsu Doan dashed their hopes for a fairytale start to the tournament.
Coach Yazguly Hojageldiyew’s side were let down by lax defending in the second half as each of the three goals were realised through smart finishes inside the Turkmenistan box.
However, in the early exchange of play Turkmenistan were up for the challenge. They matched the Japanese players for pace, intensity and performance. But Japan, as expected of the four-time Asian champions, dominated the mid-field play and held possession. The ‘Blue Samurais’ also had a shy at goal through midfielders Takehiro Tomiyasu’s leftfooter lash and another close shave with Doan’s header.
Turkmenistan were kept in the hunt through skipper Arslan Amanov and striker Vahyt Orazsakhedov pressing forward. And defender Mekan Saparov almost pulled off the first goal with his header.
Turkmenistan enjoyed a short spell of attacking momentum and in the 26th minute Amanov scored a stunner. The midfielder, with the ball, let fly a long-ranger and caught keeper Gonda Shuichi unawares as the ball sailed past his grasp into the back of the net.
Japan returned with vengeance as Osako and Takumi Minamino tested keeper Mamed Orazmuhamedov. However, for all onslaughts, lion’s share of possession and plentiful of shots on goal, Japan failed to find an equaliser. But the 15-minute break allowed Japan to reorganise and they came out all guns blazing.
Osako netted twice in space of five minutes as Japan took the lead. In the 56th minute, Osako converted from Genki Haraguchi perfect pass into the box and four minutes later scored from Yuto Nagatomo’s nippy assistance. In the 71 minute, Doan completed the rout with clean finish from the left flank.
However, Turkmenistan pulled one back through a penalty conversion by Ahmet Atayev. It was a tense finish but the ‘Karakum Warriors’ ran out of steam to draw level and clinch a top result in only their second Cup appearance.
The tournament has justified expansion to 24 teams with heartwarming performances from the like of Turkmenistan, Jordan, Palestine, Syria and the Philippines.