2022 AFC Futsal Asian Cup: Japan 3-2 Indonesia – Samurai Five stage strong fightback to beat Indonesia’s Pasukan Garuda
Japan’s Samurai Five have booked their ticket to the semi-final of the 2022 AFC Futsal Asian Cup after staging a commanding fightback to beat Indonesia 3-2 at the Saad Al Abdullah Hall, Sabah Al Salem, Kuwait on Tuesday afternoon.
Indonesia took a first-period lead through Samuel Eko however, Japan fought back to score three goals through Sora Kanazawa, Soma Mizutani, and Higor Pires.
Samuel Eko grabbed a late goal for Indonesia however, it was a little too late for them to come back into the game.
Indonesia’s No. 12 Samuel Eko went on a 2-player dribbling spree as he dazzled the Japanese defenders with his nimble-footed and intelligent mazy run.
A few moments after the start of the second period, Eko scored the opening goal of the game for Pasukan Garuda as he rifled the ball past Higor Pires in the Japanese post.
Japan’s Sora Kanazawa was booked for diving around the 15th minute as the Samurai Five continued to pile the pressure for the equaliser.
The Japanese biggest chance of the game fell at the 30th-minute mark when Tomoki Yoshikawa received a great pass in an unmarked position. The 33-year-old Nagoya Oceans FP should have equalised for Japan however he put his effort just wide.
The equaliser would soon arrive for the East Asians and it was Sora Kanazawa who drilled a low ball in between the legs of the goalkeeper.
Just after the restart, Soma Mizutani put Japan ahead with a powerful strike. The 26-year-old Nagoya Oceans FP struck the ball home to hand the lead to his side.
Goalkeeper Higor Pires spotted an opening in the Indonesian post and shot the ball straight in the net to nail the coffin of the Indonesians who have now exited the competition.
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Source: Sports
