Japan U-20 head coach Koichi Togashi expressed his disappointment after the team’s come-from-behind loss.
Japan came from behind to defeat Colombia 1-2 in their second match of Group C at the FIFA U-20 World Cup 2023 on Friday (June 25) at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium in La Plata, Argentina.
Japan took the lead with an early goal, but collapsed in the second half. Riku Yamane opened the scoring for Japan in the 30th minute of the first half. But eight minutes into the second half, Yacer Asprilla equalized, and 14 minutes into the second half, Tomas Angel pulled one back.
Japan had a chance to equalize. On a corner kick in the 36th minute, Colombia’s Johan Torres raised his hand to block a ball from the flank as it came into his face, and the referee awarded a penalty kick after VAR. However, Japan failed to capitalize on the opportunity. Kuryu Matsuki stepped up to take the kick and it hit the crossbar. It was a costly mistake.
스포츠토토 After the game, Japan head coach Koichi said, “After the first game against Senegal, we came to Colombia with a new look. The first goal was unavoidable, but the concession of the second goal haunted us,” he reflected.
Japan finished second in the group with a 1-1 record. Colombia’s two wins gave them six points and a spot in the round of 16. Japan is ahead on goal difference of Israel and Senegal, who are third and fourth with 1-1 draws, respectively, but the final result will determine the rest of the round of 16.
“First of all, we have an 8am flight tomorrow morning. We need to get in shape and prepare to fight Israel as a team,” he said.