Japan 3-1 Indonesia: How Moriyasu’s side won comfortably Team Garuda

Despite conceding a late goal in the final minutes, Japan beat Indonesia 3-1 to advance to the knockout stage as a second-placed team in Group D.

A loss to Iraq had put Japan in a tight spot. They were unable to play the football they wanted in this tournament due to their opponents’ thorough counter-measures, and the dynamic that had seen them defeat Germany and Turkey in September had completely disappeared. Perhaps they would even lose to Indonesia, the lowest-ranked team in Group D – such skepticism was directed at Japan, who were unstable in the previous games.

To dispel the sense of stagnation for the deciding match against Indonesia, Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu made a decision to change the system and the eight players in the starting line-up from the Iraq match. The formation was changed to a 4-1-2-3, which allowed a more attacking approach to the game. Zion Suzuki started in front of the goal for three matches in a row, while the back four was all changed, with Seiya Maikuma, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Koki Machida and Yuta Nakayama lined up from right to left. Wataru Endo anchored in the midfield with playmakers Takefusa Kubo and Reo Hatate in front of him. Ritsu Doan, Ayase Ueda and Keito Nakamura lined up in the forward line from right to left.

And as soon as the game started, Japan showed their quality. As if the previous two matches had been a mirage, Japan were aggressive from the start. In the second minute, Ueda received the ball in the box and was brought down by a defender, being given a penalty kick after VAR. Ueda took it to open the score line.

The goal made it easier for Japan, who kept pressing highly and eagerly, forcing their opponents into their half. This was partly due to the change in the starting line-up. But more importantly, the presence of Tomiyasu, who started for the first time in this tournament, was key.

It can be risky with a high back-line, but Arsenal’s versatile defender didn’t hesitate to push up the line and shouted the attacking players to defend from a high position.

Kubo appreciated the loud voice from the defensive leader

“When Tomiyasu tells me to go, I have to go, so the attacking players get tired haha.”

After the game, Kubo replied wryly, but Tomiyasu’s high demands got his teammates on their feet.

Tomiyasu made a series of interceptions with sharp anticipation and pace, showing composure to hold a long ball by the opponents in his chest instead of clearing by his head and defending calmly for feeds beyond the back line. The reassurance at the back let the whole team get aggressive.

“If defenders don’t tell the players in front with confidence that they can go, then inevitably we won’t get any momentum as a team, and we won’t get any confidence,” said Tomiyasu. “That’s why defenders had to show their attitude and get heard our voice that it was good to go. I think Machi-kun (Koki Machida) and I did a good job of that.”

The presence of this dependable defensive leader, who never hid his confidence, was outstanding even amongst the talented players in Japan.

The high intensity of the Premier League duo of Tomiyasu and Endo must have been the first experience for Indonesia

Endo’s performance stood out too. As soon as the ball was lost, he sharply charged at the opponents and regained it immediately. The intensity of the Premier League duo must have been something the Indonesian players had never felt first-hand before.

Though it turned out almost a half-pitch game, Indonesia’s tenacious response in the back five made it difficult for Japan to add another goal. But when the space opened up in the second half, Japan got their momentum again.

In the 52nd minute, after breaking down the left flank completely, Doan bent a cross in for Ueda to tap in, making it 2-0 for Japan. In the 88th minute, Junya Ito, who came on two minutes ago, sprinted to get past a defender and sent a cross for Ueda swinging his right foot to unleash a powerful shot into the back of the net. Although it was recorded as an own goal, not a hat-trick for Ueda, the quality of Ueda’s finishing work was a major gain in the match.

The fact that they conceded a goal from a long throw in the closing stages was still something to be regretted. Nevertheless, considering the previous game, in which passive Japan succumbed to Iraq’s pressure, there was great hope for Japan on this day as they kept the initiative.

“In today’s game, we had to concentrate on ourselves and to express what we can and should do. That’s how we got the result, so I think it wasn’t just about getting through the group stage, it was a game for the future.”

Not only Tomiyasu but also the Japanese players must have regained their confidence in this match.

Not passively, but actively.

Having returned to their style, Japan will now head into the knockout round. It would be a main theme whether they could be brave and confident to press highly even in one-shot matches from now on, in order to reach the summit of Asia for the fifth time. Their round-of-16 match against Bahrain will kick off at 20:30 JST on 31 January.