‘We need to forget win over Germany’ – head coach Moriyasu
Japan take on Costa Rica in Group E of World Cup 2022 this morning as they hope to secure a spot in the last 16 today. Their opening game versus Germany was one of the shocks of the tournament as Hajime Moriyasu’s men fought from a goal down to win 2-1 thanks to two goals in the second half. That victory puts Japan on three points and another win today will see them qualify if Spain avoid defeat to Germany in the late kick off.
They face a Costa Rica side low on confidence after they were soundly beaten 7-0 by Spain last time out. The Central American side have only reached the knockout rounds once since 1990 and failed to win a single game in Russia 2018 which, based on the evidence of their first game, looks likely to happen again during this tournament.
There are calls to make over personnel for both managers. It was Japan’s substitutes who changed the game against so will Moriyasu stick or twist with his starting XI?
Costa Rica boss, Luis Fernando Suarez, has a similar call to make – but for different reasons as his entire team were woeful against Spain – and he will be hoping that whoever starts will play better if his side have any hope of earning a point in this group.
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Japan vs Costa Rica line-ups
Japan XI: Gonda, Yamane, Itakura, Yoshida, Nagatomo, Endo, Morita, Soma, Kamada, Doan, Ueda
Costa Rica XI: Navas, Watson, Duarte, Calvo, Oviedo, Fuller, Borges, Tejeda, Torres, Campbell, Contreras
Michael Jones27 November 2022 08:52
Lionel Messi delivers moment of inspiration to revive Argentina’s World Cup hopes
If a constant line throughout Lionel Messi’s career has been that it seems like he’s been dropped on the game from another plane, he here descended onto this match to at last elevate it and lift Argentina into the qualification places.
His superb strike to beat Mexico was not so much out of this world as apart from this game. It was a moment of true individual inspiration totally disconnected from general play, which made it all the more essential.
That also made it one of the moments of this World Cup so far, before Enzo Fernandez followed with one of the goals of the World Cup so far.
Qatar will now forever be associated with another moment of football history, and that from one of rival Saudi Arabia’s tourism ambassadors. It’s the power of sportswashing, distilled into the power of that shot.
Michael Jones27 November 2022 08:49
Japan vs Costa Rica prediction
Costa Rica surely have to offer a response after their dismal opening game but Japan will pick up a second straight win to move a huge step closer to making the round of 16.
Michael Jones27 November 2022 08:45
Japan vs Costa Rica early team news and predicted line-ups
Hiroki Sakai is Japan’s big doubt after their opening win against Germany, having come off in the second half. There could be changes in attack given how well the team fared after changes made during that victory. Takumi Minamino and goalscorer Takuma Asano will be hoping to start this time.
Costa Rica have no injury concerns but could make multiple changes given how dismally they performed against Spain.
Japan XI: Gonda, Tomiyasu, Itakura, Yoshida, Nagatomo, Morita, Shibasaki, Ito, Kamada, Minamino, Asano
Costa Rica XI: Martinez, Calvo, Duarte, Matarrita, Borges, Tejeda, Fuller, Bennette, Ruiz, Campbell
Michael Jones27 November 2022 08:41
Japan vs Costa Rica
Good morning and welcome to The Independent’s coverage of today’s World Cup action. Of course there are four more matches taking place throughout the day and we’ll be bringing you all the talking points and updates from Groups E and F.
First up Japan take on Costa Rica in Group E and could potentially end the day with a place in the last 16 fully secured. Their surprising 2-1 comeback win over Germany means that if they collect three points against Costa Rica this morning they will be on the verge of qualification. A place in the knockout rounds will then be secured if Spain avoid losing to Germany in the late 7pm kick off.
If Costa Rica win they will have bounced back from an opening 7-0 loss to the Spaniards. The Central American side are low on confidence after that performance but with Germany still to come in the group they’ll fancy themselves to pick up points against Japan.
Michael Jones27 November 2022 08:37