Tue, 30 Nov, -0001
Sharjah: Japan entered into the Round of 16 stages of the ongoing FIFA U-17 World Cup after registering a convincing 3-1 win over Venezuela on Monday in a Group D clash.
Taro Sugimoto, who was adjudged the Most Valuable Player of the tournament in last year’s AFC U-16 Championship, opened the scoring as early as in the seventh minute to put the Japanese 1-0 ahead. Sugimoto utilized Ryoma Ishida’s cross at the centre.
Ten minutes later, Jose Caraballo equalised for the South Americans but Japan ensured that they go to the break with one-goal advantage.
Kyoga Nakamura released a delightful ball to counter-attacking Tokuma Suzuki who picked out an unmarked Ryoma Watanabe near the penalty spot for Japan’s second of the match with one minute left in the first half.
Japan put the game out of reach in the 78th minute when Watanabe buried a penalty into the corner after Juan Tineo's clumsy foul at the edge of the area.
With two wins in as many matches, Japan top Group D ahead of Tunisia who edged Russia in another match. Japan and Tunisia are equal on points while Russia and Venezuela, after losing their first two matches of the group, bowed out early from the competition.
Photo: AFP