Bangkok: Japan put their 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign firmly back on track with a comfortable 2-0 victory over an outplayed Thailand side at the sold-out Rajamangala Stadium in Bangkok on Tuesday.
Goals from Genki Haraguchi and Takuma Asano handed Japan three points and their margin of victory could have been a lot more convincing but for the brilliance of Thailand ‘keeper Kawin Thamsatchanan who made a number of world class saves.
Both teams lost their opening Group B games in final round qualifying with Japan going down 2-1 at home to the United Arab Emirates and Thailand denied a point in Riyadh by a late penalty from Saudi Arabia.
“That was a very important victory for us, (but) it was not easy,” said Japan coach Vahid Halilhodzic. “Before the game I had a fear about how we would go into it psychologically.
“We created a lot of chances but maybe because of a lack of concentration we could not score more goals. But I can say in general that was a good match on a difficult (wet) pitch. As usual we gave some presents to the opponents in one or two situations.
“There is competition (for places) in the team and I wanted to see new players. I trusted a player like Asano, a young player, and wanted to mix these two generations, the young and the veteran players. It was not a coincidence to see them (the new players) scoring goals. I wanted to bring fresh air into the team.”
Japan coach Vahid Halilhodzic sprang a surprise by dropping Leicester City striker Shinji Okazaki to the bench with 21-year-old Asano coming into the line-up in one of three changes from the team that started against the UAE.
Midfielder Charyl Chappuis, recently back from a 16-month injury layoff, started in place of the suspended Sarach Yooyen with Narubadin Weerawatnodom replacing Mongkol Totsakrai who had a quiet game for Thailand against Saudi Arabia.
Japan opened brightly with Gotoku Sakai and Haraguchi combining well down the left flank and causing the Thais all sorts of problems.
The first real chance for the four-time AFC Asian Cup champions came in the 11th minute when Keisuke Honda nodded a Shinji Kagawa corner goalwards only for Tanaboon Ketsarat to head the ball over the bar for a corner.
Four minutes later it was Kroekrit Tawikan who came to Thailand’s rescue when he cleared Makoto Hasebe’s header from a Kagawa corner.
Japan were dominating possession and the goal that their pressure deserved came in the 18th minute. Hiroki Sakai’s beautifully flighted cross from the right was met by Haraguchi and the Hertha Berlin man’s powerful header flew past Thailand ‘keeper Kawin.
The visitor’s total domination was interrupted by a bizarre incident in the 28th minute when Masato Morishige picked up the ball and signalled to the referee that he thought it was deflated only to be yellow carded for his concern.
As half-time approached, Asano had a goal-bound effort deflected for a corner and Kawin saved superbly from Honda at his right-hand post.
Thailand, who had been on the defensive for the majority of the first half, forced their first corner of the game in the 49th minute but Theerathon Bunmathan overhit his left-footed inswinger.
They were soon on the back foot again with Honda, Kagawa and Asano all having chances to score in a goalmouth scramble which ended with Japan’s strong appeals for hand ball being waved aside by the referee.
The irresistible Honda was at the heart of Japan’s all out attack and the AC Milan forward was denied what would have been a deserved goal by a brilliant fingertip save by Kawin in the 61st minute.
The highly rated Muangthong United ‘keeper was called into action again two minutes later, this time denying Kagawa as he bore down on goal.
For all their domination Japan could not land the killer punch and came close to falling victim to a quick counter attack in the 70th minute, Shusaku Nishikawa coming out quickly to block an effort from onrushing Thai striker Teerasil Dangda.
Recent Arsenal signing Asano justified his selection in the 75th minute when he outpaced Tanaboon and hit the ball under the diving Kawin for Japan’s second goal.
Thailand’s woe was compounded when substitute Deeprom Prakit was shown a red card for a bad tackle on Kagawa in the dying minutes.
“The players tried to do their best and tried to fix our weaknesses (during the game) but Japan are a very strong team and every team that plays against Japan will have a tough game,” said Thailand coach Kiatisuk “Zico” Senamuang.
“We have to admit we did not play our best game but also we did not concede much (more goals). We have to improve a lot both in defence and attack.
“Sarach Yooyen is a very important player for the team and is a defensive midfielder. Charyl Chappuis (his replacement) is naturally an attacking player. He did the best he could but he needs more time to get used to (the pace of a match) again.
“Every game for Thailand at this level is a hard game, there are no easy games for us. We have to admit the standard is different (higher). These are our first steps and we will go forward from here. A 2-0 loss is not too harsh a result.”
Nenhum comentário:
Postar um comentário