Japan 0-1 Costa Rica: the Ticos Keeps their Dreams Alive for Round 16
Costa Rican Keysher Fuller scored the victory goal in their only shot on target in the game.
The encounter started with the kick off at 10.0 am in the Ahmed bin Ali stadium. It was the first time that the Samurai Blue and the Ticos faced each other in a World Cup. Both teams had two different assignments from their previous games.
The lineups changed for both teams. Japan surprised with a 4-2-3-1 line-up. Costa Rica, as expected, changed the strategy, but with a 3-5-2 formation.
During the first minutes, Japan created some opportunities but they were not able to finish. The Samurai Blue tried to lead in possession, building plays from the defense to get into the Costa Rica box. Japan couldn’t break through the back five line-up of the Ticos.
On the other side, Costa Rica started a bit more intensely than on Wednesday against Spain. The team wanted to build from the back but they struggled to go forward and break through Japan’s formation.
The Costa Rica defense suffered for the whole game. Despite this, Japan were not able to get into the opponent’s goal.
During the first half, neither team showed enough quality to break into each other’s box. They were gambling to get into the goals, but the 0-0 result didn’t change in the first half.
Both teams received one yellow card each during the first half.
The second half started with Asano replacing Yoshida in the Japanese team.
The intensity of both teams increased in the second half. Japan had the possession of the ball and dominated, playing for the most part in the Costa Rica half.
The Samurai Blue tried to break through the defense, but they were not able to target inside Keylor Navas goal.
In the minute 61, a foul from Celso Borges on Endo allowed a free kick from outside the box, the most clear occasion for Japan.
In the minute 69, Japan had a free kick from just outside the penalty area to lead the game. Kamada it the barrier despite a solid shot.
In the 81st minute, a mistake from Japan’s defense gave the ball to Costa Rica. Keysher Fuller shorts from just outside the edge of the box. The ball goes through the goalkeeper’s hands who is too far off his line and goal for the Ticos.
In the 87th Japan had their best chance, but Keylor Navas saved the ball from going into goal.
Germany-Spain is the last game of the Sunday round. A victory for the Germans will lead all the teams in Group E to three points.
