U-23 Asian Cup review #4: Ailing ace finally wakes up. Mao Hosoya’s decisive goal earns Japan win over Qatar to edge them closer to Paris Olympics

In a do-or-die quarter-final in which a loss would have spelled the end of their participation at the U-23 Asian Cup, Japan faced host nation Qatar. Ten changes were made to the starting line-up from the previous match against South Korea three days previously, with Japan going into this vital game with the majority of the members from their first match against China.

The game burst into life instantly. Within the opening two minutes, Fuki Yamada ran up the right flank and seized upon a loose back pass by an opponent on the edge of the penalty area, cut in with the same momentum and struck a fierce left-footed effort. The ball flew into the Qatari goal, giving Japan an early lead.

Japan continued to dominate possession against the Qatari back five, but in the 24th minute a long cross was sent into the Japan area from the right and ace striker Ahmed Al-Rawi headed home powerfully to equalise.

With the game back on level terms, Japan had a stroke of luck towards the end of the first half when VAR confirmed that Qatari goalkeeper Yousef Abdullah had kicked Mao Hosoya with the back of his right foot, and he was sent off.

However, Japan’s joy at their numerical advantage was short-lived.

At 1-1 at the start of the second half, Japan conceded another goal from a set-piece, following on from the one scored by South Korea, and from then on they were greatly hampered by Qatar’s defence, which was set up in a rigid 5-4-0 block. The 11 men controlled the ball but lacked the ideas to break down a defence with so many men and failed to create any decisive chances.

Despite this, captain Joel Chima Fujita remained calm.

“First of all, we tried to start moving the opponents without being hasty. We thought that when the opponents got tired, space would open up.”

True to Fujita’s words, Japan moved the ball quickly and shook Qatar, and the 10-man hosts gradually slowed down. In the 67th minute, Seiji Kimura headed home Rihito Yamamoto’s corner to equalise.

In extra time, there was a big difference in momentum between the two sides. Oiwa kept Hosoya on the pitch

Japan’s momentum continued to carry them, and in the 77th and 83rd minutes, crosses from right-back Hiroki Sekine gave Shota Fujio chances to serve the decisive blow. He was unable to finish them off though, and the game headed into extra-time with the score tied at 2-2..

The difference in momentum between the two sides was evident in extra time, and Japan’s intensity of play did not drop against an exhausted Qatar side. In the 101st minute, Ryotaro Araki received a vertical pass from Fujita and supplied a through ball into Hosoya inside the area.

“I got into a good position the moment Ryotaro turned forward,” Hosoya said. “He passed it to me well, so I just had to stay calm and make sure I put the ball in.”

The out-of-form ace, who had missed a number of crucial chances at the tournament and has failed to score in the J1 League so far this season, converted the winner in this crucial moment. Another goal came in the 112th minute from substitute Kotaro Uchino,  to ensure Japan defeated the hosts 4-2.

Despite some problems defending set-pieces and not taking their chances, the most important thing for Japan was the fact they were able to emerge victorious from a hard-fought battle in a completely away-from-home atmosphere. The team’s competitive spirit is developing with each  successive match..

Japan are now one win away from qualifying for their eighth consecutive Olympic Games, and next up will play Iraq on 29 April.