Germany fall, Japan surprised by Costa Rica at the end of the match

Japan will not have benefited from its inaugural victory against Germany on Wednesday (2-1). Hajime Moriyasu’s players were unable on Sunday to endanger a well-regrouped Costa Rican defense and even lost to a goal from Keysher Fuller late in the game (81st). The two teams therefore find themselves tied in Group E. The Japanese will play their final group match against Spain on 1 December.

The game: 1-0

Weakened by its heavy defeat against Spain in the first game (0-7), Costa Rica did not want to take any risks at the start of the game. Very compact, Luis Suarez’s players prevented Japan from developing their game. Only Ritsu Doan was able to prove dangerous in the 13th minute, but his strong cross in front of the but from the right was not taken up by any teammate.

The Japanese tried to put more rhythm from the start of the second period. Hidemasa Morita immediately put Keylor Navas to work with a left-footed strike (46th) before Takuma Asano, the heroic scorer against Germany who came on at half-time, did not lack power with his header at the conclusion of a double opportunity for the Japanese (48th).

Efficient Costa Rica

The off-pace of the first half then resurfaced, with Japan’s sterile possession and tight lines for their opponent. But it was ultimately Costa Rica who, on their only chance of the match, took the lead late in the game. Keysher Fuller indeed took advantage of a loss of ball from Morita in his camp to deceive a Shuichi Gonda a little too advanced with the left foot (81st).

Japan even got a last big chance but stumbled on a decisive Navas. Following a good overflow from Kaoru Mitoma on the left side, Daichi Kamada found himself in an ideal position but did not manage to equalize (88th), so Costa Rica won with forceps. A victory which revives group E and which makes the business of Germany, defeated in the first match, before its shock against Spain in the evening (8 p.m., to follow live commented).

The player: Navas, the last bastion

The match against Japan had a taste of difficulty for Keylor Navas, against Spain with 7 goals conceded. The PSG goalkeeper reacted perfectly this Sunday, saving his team at the end of the match. If he didn’t have a lot of work throughout the meeting, he was decisive with a magnificent save in front of Kamada (88th) to allow Costa Rica to obtain their first victory in the competition.