By Pearse McLaughlin
Japan emerges 4-2 winners over Turkey here at the Cegenka Arena in Genk, Belgium. A brace from star of the show, Keito Nakamura helped maintain Japan’s 100% record in this international break having defeated Germany 4-1 on Sunday.
Japan boss, Hajime Moriyasu has stuck with his tried and trusted 4-2-3-1 formation that worked tremendously well last time out as they dismantled Germany 4-1. In terms of personnel changes, he has made wholesale changes as the only player to keep his place from the Germany game is Hiroki Ito. In comes Kosuke Nakamura, Seiya Maikuma, Shogo Taniguchi, Koki Machida, Ao Tanaka, Atsuki Ito, Ritsu Doan, Takefusa Kubo, Keito Nakamura, and Kyogo Furuhashi to replace Keisuke Osako, Yukinari Sugawara, Ko Itakura, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Hidemasa Morita, Wataru Endo, Junya Ito, Daichi Kamada, Kaoru Mitoma, and Ayase Ueda.
Turkey boss, Stefan Kuntz hasn’t changed away from his 4-1-4-1 formation that drew 1-1 last time out against Armenia. Turkey have also made wholesale changes from that game as the only players to keep their place are Caglar Soyuncu and Orkun Kokcu. In terms of personnel changes, he has made 9 changes as in come Ugurcan Cakir, Mert Muldur, Ozan Kabak, Onur Bulut, Salih Ozcan, Irfan Kahveci, Salih Ucan, Yusuf Sari, and Bertug Yildrim to replace Mert Gunok, Mehmet Celik, Merih Demiral, Cenk Ozkacar, Ismail Yuksek, Cengiz Under, Hakan Calhanoglu, Kerem Akturkoglu, and Baris Yilmaz.
Breakthrough for Japan on the 15th minute and it’s came from the most unlikely of sources in the holding midfielder, Atsuki Ito. Atsuki Ito cuts in from the right-hand side playing a one-two with Ritsu Doan before unleashing an unstoppable shot which arrowed into the top right-hand corner with his weaker left foot. 1-0 Japan. Unbelievable strike. Ugurcan Cakir paid Atsuki Ito the ultimate compliment by applauding his goal as he tried his best to stop it but for the quality of the strike. Don’t think this gesture would happen in a competitive fixture.
Japan doubles their lead through Keito Nakamura on the 28th minute. It all started with Salih Ucan cheaply losing possession in a dangerous area as he took far too long to release the ball and was dispossessed, and Turkey were punished. Takefusa Kubo picked up the loose ball about 20 yards from goal in a central position and tries his luck at goal but in all honesty Ugurcan Cakir should have dealt with it as Kubo’s effort was straight at him with no real movement or power, but he somehow manages to spill it and Keito Nakamura taps in the rebound. 2-0 Japan. An absolute howler by Ugurcan Cakir who won’t want to watch that back again. Great predatory instincts by Keito Nakamura who was alive to the situation.
It's now three and easy for Japan on the 36th minute as it’s that man yet again Keito Nakamura who adds a third. Turkey are the architects of their own downfall as poor defending yet again allows Japan’s right back, Seiya Maikuma too much time and space as he punished them by driving into the box before picking out the unmarked Keito Nakamura at the back post who takes a touch to steady himself before coolly rolling the ball through Mert Muldur’s legs and into the bottom left-hand corner. 3-0 Japan. Clinical yet again from Japan.
Turkey manages to pull a goal back a minute before half time through Ozan Kabak. Turkey haven’t threatened the Japan goal at all but an in swinging freekick deep inside Japan’s territory by Orkun Kokcu caused pandemonium as Mert Muldur snuck round the back and planted a header towards goal which Kosuke Nakamura managed to parry straight onto the forehead of Ozan Kabak. 3-1. Another goalkeeping mistake this time it is Kosuke Nakamura. Lifeline for Turkey.
Japan deservedly lead 3-1at the break having dominated much of the game and causing Turkey all sorts of problems. Turkey’s best chance to get a positive result is going to be through set pieces but you can only see Japan adding more goals in the second half given the array of attacking talent at Hajime Moriyasu’s disposal. Turkey have been overly physical and have landed some nasty challenges as the yellow cards start to toll up. I just hope there’s no serious injuries in the second half as it is mean to be a friendly game after all.
Game is well and truly on as Turkey now have a second goal on the 61st minute courtesy of Bertug Yildrim’s close range finish. The introduction of Hakan Calhanoglu and Cengiz Under have taken Turkey up a level and it was the latter who was instrumental in creating this goal. It all started with Cengiz Under on the right-hand side as he switched the ball over to the left wing to Yusuf Sari before racing over to offer an underlapping run and it was Under’s low ball across the six-yard-box that ricocheted off two Japan defenders before landing at the feet of Bertug Yildrim who smashed the ball into the roof of the net. Emphatic finish. 3-2. Game on!
There was nearly an instant response from Japan a mere 60 seconds later as Celtic duo Daizen Maeda and Kyogo Furuhashi combine brilliantly but for the latter who couldn’t apply the finishing touch as he opened up his right foot, but it crashed off the right-hand post and away to safety. Great running and delivery into the box by Daizen Maeda who teased a ball into a dangerous area inside the six-yard-box and this is usually a customary finish from Kyogo Furuhashi that we usually seen on a regular basis when he pulls on the green and white hoops of Celtic FC.
On the 74th minute, Cengiz Under is the architect for yet another golden opportunity for Turkey as they push for an equalizer this time teeing up his teammate, Yusuf Sari. Cengiz Under cut in from the right and drove into a central position before picking out Yusuf Sari inside the box but managed to fire in a low effort at goal which Daniel Schmidt expertly saved with his left leg. Massive save as it maintains Japan’s slender lead. It remains 3-2.
Japan have restored their two-goal advantage from the penalty spot courtesy of substitute, Junya Ito a mere 2 minutes later. Talk about a sucker punch. Junya Ito deserves massive credit as this goal was all his doing as he drove 40/50 yards with the ball down the right flank and into the box where he was hauled down cynically by Ismail Yuksek and the referee makes a straightforward decision and points to the spot. Easy decision. Junya Ito assumes responsibility from the spot and as cool as you like he slots the ball into the right-hand corner sending Manchester United new boy, Altay Bayindir the wrong way. 4-2 Japan. Phenomenal play by Junya Ito. Goal came at a great time for Japan as the goal came against the run of play and can now afford Japan some breathing space.
It's all over here at the Cegenka Arena here in Genk, Belgium as Japan emerge 4-2 winners over Turkey. It was the old cliché as it certainly was a game of two halves as Japan dominated the first half and were in cruise control. In the second half, Turkey made alterations and the likes of Hakan Calhanoglu and Cengiz Under allowed them more of the ball and offer a lot more going forward. But in the end Japan had enough in their disposal to see the game out. Another terrific international break from the Samurai Blue sees them win against Germany by 4 goals to 1 and now defeating Turkey 4-2. Next up for Japan is an international friendly at home to Canada on Friday the 13th of October which is set for a 7:35pm kick-off (KST).
Lots of positives to take from Turkey’s second half performance and they can certainly use that going into the next international break. Next up for Turkey is a tough Euro 2024 qualifier away to Croatia on Friday the 13th of October which is set for a 3:45am kick-off (KST).
Japan: Kosuke Nakamura (Daniel Schmidt 45+3’), Seiya Maikuma (Daiki Hashioka 46’), Shogo Taniguchi, Koki Machida (Takehiro Tomiyasu 79’), Hiroki Ito, Ao Tanaka, Atsuki Ito (Wataru Endo 64’), Ritsu Doan (Junya Ito 46’), Takefusa Kubo, Keito Nakamura (Daizen Maeda 46’), Kyogo Furuhashi. Subs not used: Keisuke Osako, Yukinari Sugawara, Ko Itakura, Ryoya Morishita, Hidemasa Morita, Daichi Kamada, Kaoru Mitoma, Takuma Asano.
Turkey: Ugurcan Cakir (Altay Bayindir 46’), Mert Muldur, Ozan Kabak, Caglar Soyuncu (Merih Demiral 46’), Onur Bulut, Salih Ozcan (Hakan Calhanoglu 46’), Irfan Kahveci (Baris Yilmaz 83’), Salih Ucan (Cengiz Under 46’), Orkun Kokcu (Ismail Yuksek 46’), Yusuf Sari, Bertug Yildrim. Subs not used: Mert Gunok, Mehmet Celik, Kazimcan Karatas, Cenk Ozkacar, Halil Dervisoglu.
Reporter: Pearse McLaughlin
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