The FIFA U-20 World Cup Korea Republic 2017 went underway on Saturday 20 May as U-20 Japan National Team in Group D faced U-20 South Africa National Team at Suwon World Cup Stadium on Sunday 21.

Although ITAKURA Kou brought up a key point on the previous day, ‘It's important to get a feel for the opponents' physicality and pace from the start,’ Japan were overwhelmed by South Africa’s momentum and physical intensity early on. In the 7th minute, Thabo CELE sent a well-weighted lobbed pass for Grant MARGEMAN to time himself perfectly to beat Japan’s offside trap and control with first touch to move away from the defenders to fire a shot past the goalkeeper. TOMIYASU Takehiro rushed back in attempt to clear his shot, but could only deflect into the net for Amajita to open the scoring.

Subsequently, Japan gave up few scoring chances, but saved by some poor finishing from the South African side to keep the scoreline unchanged. However, the young Japanese internationals struggled to carve open the Amajita’s defence until their first chance came off a set piece, where Tomiyasu redirected the clearance from the opposing keeper in the air to find OGAWA Koki reacting to the ball quickest with a left-footed volley on the turn, but denied by the goalpost.....

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