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Japan 0-0 China: Missed Penalty Costs China Famous Win In East Asian Cup Opener
It was a tight game in Tokyo...
Feb 6, 2010 12:27:00 PM
By John Duerden
A late penalty save from Seigo Narazaki ensured that the opening match of the 2010 East Asian championships between Japan and China ended goalless on Saturday night at Tokyo's Ajinomoto Stadium.
China had a great chance to record a famous win against the 2010 World Cup hopefuls when the Australian referee pointed to the spot with ten minutes remaining but Yang Hao’s kick was turned away.
It was the best chance in a game of few clear opportunities.
In a niggly first half where both teams struggled with their final ball, Keiji Tamada had both of Japan’s best openings.
The Nagoya Grampus star sent one whipped in ball from the right over the bar early in the half and the next measured pass past the post when he should have done better just before the break.
China were very much in the contest and just after the half-hour, Hao Rong sent a rasping drive into the side-netting as the visitors started to look more dangerous.
Japan started the second half brightly and a succession of attacks had Gao Hongbo’s men on the backfoot.
The hosts came within a whisker of taking the lead ten minutes after the restart.
Atsuto Uchida found himself in a great position just inside the penalty area but saw his shot come back of the inside of the left side post and into the grateful arms of goalkeeper Yang Zhi
Just seconds later Japan survived a scare as Marcus Tulio Tanaka had to clear off the line after goalkeeper Narazaki fumbled a cross.
Ten minutes from time, Yuto Nagamoto controlled a bouncing ball in the area with his hand but Narazaki got down well to save the spot kick from Yang.
In the second match of the four-nation tournament, South Korea face Hong Kong on Sunday.
China had a great chance to record a famous win against the 2010 World Cup hopefuls when the Australian referee pointed to the spot with ten minutes remaining but Yang Hao’s kick was turned away.
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It was the best chance in a game of few clear opportunities.
In a niggly first half where both teams struggled with their final ball, Keiji Tamada had both of Japan’s best openings.
The Nagoya Grampus star sent one whipped in ball from the right over the bar early in the half and the next measured pass past the post when he should have done better just before the break.
China were very much in the contest and just after the half-hour, Hao Rong sent a rasping drive into the side-netting as the visitors started to look more dangerous.
Japan started the second half brightly and a succession of attacks had Gao Hongbo’s men on the backfoot.
The hosts came within a whisker of taking the lead ten minutes after the restart.
Atsuto Uchida found himself in a great position just inside the penalty area but saw his shot come back of the inside of the left side post and into the grateful arms of goalkeeper Yang Zhi
Just seconds later Japan survived a scare as Marcus Tulio Tanaka had to clear off the line after goalkeeper Narazaki fumbled a cross.
Ten minutes from time, Yuto Nagamoto controlled a bouncing ball in the area with his hand but Narazaki got down well to save the spot kick from Yang.
In the second match of the four-nation tournament, South Korea face Hong Kong on Sunday.
| Sign up with 188BET for a FREE bet up to £25 – Great Prices, Every Game |
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| Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £50 in free bets! |
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| Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
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| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
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| Sign up with Paddy Power - Bet £10, Get £20! |
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