Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Cheonan: Two goals from Ritsu Doan helped Japan come from behind to seal a 2-2 draw with Italy and secure their place in the FIFA U-20 World Cup Round of 16 as one of the best third-placed teams.
In what was seemingly a straight-shootout for second spot, Italy arrived with the ace of goal difference up their sleeve. They looked like they would mot need to rely on that though, as they raced into a two-goal lead inside ten minutes.
A stunning volleyed cross from the left Andrea Favilli was expertly turned in by Riccardo Orsolini. Then, a smart free-kick from Francesco Cassata – clipped over the wall – allowed Guiseppe Panico to slam home.
It would have been easy to assume that was that. But that was not accounting for Doan. A chink of light appeared when he got a stud on Keita Endo’s in-swinging cross to nutmeg Andrea Zaccagno and halve the deficit before the break.
His second was something special. Charging into the area, the three Italian defenders around knew they could not touch the fleet-footed Gamba Osaka man and, with Zaccagno rushing out to meet him, he nudged the ball into the net.
Source: FIFA / Getty Images