JAPAN – COSTA RICA | Sunday 11:00 am
A lot of people have probably been reminded of the events told in the cult anime “Holly and Benji”, the historic cartoon that has kept at least three generations of children and teenagers company. Japan holds its own against the strongest national teams on the planet, and in some circumstances is even able to beat them. This time it is not fiction: it really happened. Hajime Moriyasu’s men pulled off a memorable feat in their Qatar 2022 debut, in this World Cup second only to Saudi Arabia’s equally resounding victory over Messi’s Argentina. They defeated Germany 2-1, always coming back just as the Saudis did against the Argentinians. Three points that seemed utopia before the match: the great protagonists of the challenge against the Germans, coincidentally, are Ritsu Doan and Takuma Asano, two who have been in the Bundesliga for a long time (Freiburg and Bochum) and who have an established feeling with Teutonic football.
Neither of them started in the starting line-up, but the Japanese coach had the courage to send them out when things were going badly, after a first half in which Germany, dominant in possession, had managed to break the deadlock at the end of a long siege thanks to a Gundogan penalty. The Manchester City midfielder’s goal seemed to be the prelude to an avalanche of goals. Instead, Muller and his team-mates suddenly slowed down and were twice chastened by Japan, who turned it around with two quick and lethal restarts.
Qualification all but impossible now for the Blue Samurai. They can wreak havoc in a group where the first two places seemed already assigned to Germany and Spain. In the event of a success against Costa Rica, buried in goals by the Iberians (7-0), the Japanese would really be one step away from the round of 16, especially if Luis Enrique and his men were to get the better of the Germans. For the Central Americans, on the other hand, it was a heavy humiliation without appeal from which it will be difficult to recover. Repeating a miracle like the one in 2014, in short, is rather unlikely at the moment.
Japan-Costa Rica: the latest line-up news
Costa Rica players during the anthem
The author of the goal that decided the match against Germany, Asano, should start from the 1′ this time in place of Maeda, who disappointed in the first outing. Still on the bench instead for Doan, who as against the Germans will enter the match in progress. Moriyasu has a few problems in defence, with Sakai injured on the right-hand side: he could be replaced by ex-Bologna man Tomiyasu, now at Arsenal in the Premier League. Confirmed instead is former Inter player Nagatomo, one of the main leaders of this team despite no longer being a kid.
The feeling, as far as the Costa Rican eleven is concerned, is that selector Luis Suarez will make a few changes. Not in attack, where he will once again rely on the pair formed by Contreras and Campbell. At the back, Waston will undermine full-back Martinez, while the experienced Ruiz, one of the survivors of the historic ride from Brazil 2014, will ask for space.
The Prediction
We assume a reaction from Costa Rica after the embarrassing performance, especially offensively, exhibited against Spain. But Japan, on the wings of enthusiasm after their incredible victory over the Germans, remain slight favourites in our opinion in a match that promises to be more balanced than expected and could remain locked until at least the first half. It would not be surprising if the total number of goals is more than one.
Japan v Costa Rica
likely line-ups
- JAPAN (4-2-3-1): Gonda; Tomiyasu, Itakura, Yoshida, Nagatomo; Endo, Tanaka; Ito, Kamada, Kubo; Asano.
- COSTA RICA (4-2-2): Navas; Waston, Calvo, Duarte, Oviedo; Tejeda, Borges; Bennette, Fuller; Campbell, Contreras.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 2-1
