Japan did not take one other step in the direction of the World Cup knockout rounds as Keysher Fuller’s late purpose earned Costa Rica a smash-and-grab Group E victory.
Following their shock win over Germany, Japan had been pissed off by a good defensive unit, earlier than Fuller struck with Costa Rica’s first shot heading in the right direction on the match.
The end result leaves each groups on three factors after two video games, with Spain – who nonetheless high the group on purpose distinction – going through Germany afterward Sunday (19:00 GMT).
Victory for Spain will all however assure their development to the final 16.
After beating Germany of their opener, many anticipated Japan to account for a Costa Rica facet reeling from a 7-0 thrashing by Spain.
Nonetheless, Japan boss Hajime Moriyasu opted for rotation over continuity, making 5 modifications, and that resulted in a subdued efficiency and a scoreline that blew the group huge open.
It was a exceptional victory for Costa Rica, who had failed to put a glove on the Japan defence earlier than Fuller’s deflected shot from the sting of the field escaped goalkeeper Shuichi Gonda’s grasp 9 minutes from time.
After a primary half devoid of goalmouth motion within the searing warmth at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, Japan dominated for giant spells. Nonetheless, they struggled to create clear-cut probabilities till the 88th minute, when Daichi Kamada couldn’t flip the ball house after a driving Kaoru Mitoma run.
Having achieved redemption following their humiliation by the hands of Spain, the Costa Rica gamers celebrated emotionally at full-time as Japan had been left to rue a disappointing show that did not again up their heroics in opposition to Germany.
Participant of the match
MitomaKaoru Mitoma
Japan
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Squad quantity9Participant identifyMitoma
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Squad quantity5Participant identifyNagatomo
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Squad quantity4Participant identifyItakura
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Squad quantity22Participant identifyYoshida
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Squad quantity8Participant identifyDoan
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Squad quantity18Participant identifyAsano
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Squad quantity6Participant identifyEndo
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Squad quantity15Participant identifyKamada
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Squad quantity2Participant identifyYamane
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Squad quantity24Participant identifySoma
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Squad quantity10Participant identifyMinamino
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Squad quantity21Participant identifyUeda
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Squad quantity13Participant identifyMorita
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Squad quantity14Participant identifyIto
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Squad quantity26Participant identifyIto
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Squad quantity12Participant identifyGonda
Costa Rica
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Squad quantity9Participant identifyBennette
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Squad quantity4Participant identifyFuller
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Squad quantity1Participant identifyNavas
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Squad quantity20Participant identifyAguilera
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Squad quantity17Participant identifyTejeda
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Squad quantity15Participant identifyCalvo
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Squad quantity5Participant identifyBorges
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Squad quantity8Participant identifyOviedo
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Squad quantity12Participant identifyCampbell
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Squad quantity19Participant identifyWaston
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Squad quantity6Participant identifyDuarte
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Squad quantity7Participant identifyContreras
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Squad quantity14Participant identifySalas
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Squad quantity2Participant identifyChacón
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Squad quantity13Participant identifyTorres
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