Japan suffered a shock upset. With a 1-1 draw, Japan will have to wait until the end of the group stage. Colombia, on the other hand, came from behind to win their second straight game and advance to the round of 16.
Japan came from behind to defeat Colombia 2-1 in their FIFA U-20 World Cup Group C match in La Plata, Argentina, on Friday (July 25). Yamane’s goal gave Japan an early lead, but back-to-back goals in the second half put the game out of reach. Japan hit the ground running after failing to capitalize on a PK equalizer.
Japan defeated Senegal 1-0 in the first leg. Japan is second in the group with a 1-1 record (3 points). Colombia defeated Israel 2-1 in the first leg. With two wins (6 points), Colombia will advance to the Round of 16 regardless of the outcome of their remaining matches. Senegal and Israel played to a 1-1 draw earlier in the day. Senegal and Israel are now tied 1-1 with one point each. Japan will play Israel in the third round on Monday, with the outcome of the match deciding their place in the round of 16. In this tournament, 12 teams from the first two groups and four teams from the best three groups will advance to the round of 16. Colombia’s third-round opponent is Senegal.
Japan lined up in a 4-4-2 formation. Kumata and Matsuki up front, Kitano, Fukui, Yamane, and Sano at the back, Takahashi, Tanaka, Chase, and Takai in goal, and Kimura in goal. Colombia countered with a 4-3-3 formation. Cabezas, Asprilla, and Cortés up front, Luna, Torres, and Puerta at the back, Salazar, Alvarez, Mantilla, and Ocampo, and Marquinhos in goal.
It was a back-and-forth affair early on. Japan had the first chance in the 15th minute when Takai’s shot went just wide of the post. Colombia took the lead in the 26th minute when Asprilla’s decisive left-footed shot went wide of the post.
The balance tipped in Japan’s favor on a set piece in the 30th minute. Japan scored the first goal (1-0) from a corner kick. Fukui’s ground ball was met by Yamane with a precise right foot strike. Japan went into halftime with a 1-0 lead. Colombia dominated the attack with a high percentage of possession, but Japan was ahead in determination. Japan capitalized on their chances and rattled the net first.
Down 1-0, Colombia joked with Angel and Manyoma at the start of the second half. Japan also sent on Matsuda. Japan took the lead in the third minute of the second half when Mayane’s shot from a corner kick went straight at the opposing goalkeeper.
Colombia equalized (1-1) in the eighth minute of the second half through Asprilla. Salazar’s grounded cross was met by Asprilla, who ran onto it and slotted home with her left foot.
With the game tied, Colombia poured forward. Colombia broke the deadlock (2-1) in the 14th minute of the second half. A cross came in off a Japanese defender and Angel slotted it home with his left foot in front of goal. The Japanese defense was shaken at the door.
Faced with a 1-2 deficit, Japan brought on Sakamoto and Einaga in the 21st minute of the second half to try to change the momentum. Colombia added Castilla as a joker in the 25th minute.
Colombia continued to dominate the offense. Japan responded with a counterattack. Japan lost the midfield battle. The Colombian players’ individual skills made things difficult for Japan.
Colombia took the lead in the 30th minute when Manyoma’s powerful shot went straight at the Japanese goalkeeper.
Japan had a penalty kick opportunity to equalize in the 36th minute. The referee awarded the PK after VAR. The referee confirmed a handball foul by a Colombian player. Japan blew the chance to equalize when Matsuki missed the PK. Matsuki’s strong left-footed shot hit the post. Japan had another chance in the 40th minute when Matsuki’s header hit the post. The bad luck continued. Colombia brought on Velez and Tanton in the 43rd minute.먹튀검증
Japan was unlucky in stoppage time when Chase’s right-footed shot was blocked by a super save from the Colombian goalkeeper. Japan attacked aggressively but were unable to find an equalizer. Colombia’s physical defense protected their one-goal lead. The game ended with a 2-1 victory for Colombia.
On the FIFA website, the headline read: ‘Colombia upset Japan with a come-from-behind win. Colombia booked their place in the round of 16″. Japanese media outlet Football Zone wrote, “Japan loses 1-2 to Colombia. Matsuki missed a PK. The third leg against Israel will decide whether they advance to the round of 16. Japan head coach Togashi said, “The players did well. We need to be in good shape for the third game. It’s a ground we haven’t played on before. We need to prepare well.”
Earlier in the day in Group D, Italy, who beat Brazil in the first match, lost 0-2 to Nigeria to move to 1-1. Nigeria, who beat the Dominican Republic in their first game, had won two straight. Brazil evened their record at 1-1 with a 6-0 victory over the Dominican Republic. Group D is a toss-up.