Midfielder Genki Haraguchi slotted in a first-half penalty to earn wasteful Japan a 1-0 win against Oman and entry into the Asian Cup’s round of 16.
All the entertainment at Zayed Sports City was packed into an opening period during which forward Takumi Minamino spurned four glorious opportunities. The only goal would come from the penalty spot after the on-rushing Haraguchi, himself, was clumsily felled by Raed Ibrahim Saleh.
Here is the report card for this Group F clash:
GOOD
Oh man
Another decent display and another loss.
Oman will rue a decision on 45 minutes not to punish full-back Yuto Nagatomo for a handball from playmaker Salah Al Yahyaei’s stinging shot, plus the sight of forward Muhsen Al Ghassani’s shot trickling past the far post that preceded it.
The Gulf Cup champions – still without a point – must now dust themselves off, defeat Turkmenistan on Thursday and hope it is enough to claim one of four best-third-placed finisher spots. It should be.
Tomiyasu stakes his claim
When the Japan team sheet dropped, so did a number of surprises.
Portimonense goalkeeper Shuichi Gonda kept his place after two awful errors in the 3-2 victory against the Turkmen, Werder Bremen forward Yuya Osako watched on from the bench even though he scored twice in that match and Urawa Red Diamonds veteran Tomoaki Makino was sat down behind him.
This afforded Sint-Truden’s Takehiro Tomiyasu the chance to drop back from midfield and play in his favoured position at centre-back. The 20-year-old was not troubled defensively, plus delivered an outstanding cross-field ball for one of Minamino’s many misses.
He could add a new, and necessary, dimension to Samurai Blue’s laboured play in the UAE.
BAD
Why the wait for VAR?
The video-assistant referees will only be unleashed at the Asian Cup from the quarter-finals.
This will be painful reminder for Oman. Saleh’s swipe at Haraguchi for the decisive penalty could have gone either way on review, but there could be no doubt about Nagatomo’s foul play.
Minamino’s misery
Red Bull Salzburg forward Minamino could have, conceivably, walked off at half-time with four goals to his name.
Instead, the stand-in for Osako produced a quartet of poor misses – including three failed one-on-ones. He was fortunate that the anominity of Shimuzu S-Pulse’s Koya Kitagawa was, arguably, even worse
With Osako and Yoshinori Muto also out of form, Japan could be firing blanks in the knockouts.
KEY MOMENTS
7th min CHANCE: Minamino produces a low save from shot stopper Faiz Al Rushaidi.
12th min CHANCE: Minamino drags another effort wide.
25th min CHANCE: Minamino shoots straight at the busy Al Rushaidi, Ritsu Doan’s follow-up is blocked.
26th min GOAL: Minamino’s shot from a one-on-one is repelled, Haraguchi eventually races onto a bouncing ball and is summarily booted by Saleh. The midfielder dusts himself off to score from 12 yards.
45th min PENATY CALL: The furious Oman players crowd the referee after Al Yahyaei’s shot appears to have been illegally blocked by Nagatomo’s hand, but only a corner is given.
TACTICAL TALKING POINT
Will passive play keep paying off?
Japan are, seemingly, not here for our entertainment.
They dominated possession (66/34 per cent) and produced 457 passes. But after a flurry of activity in the first half, all entertainment ebbed away after the break.
This approach seemed preordained from new head coach Hajime Moriyasu. Can they keep on doing just enough in the Emirates under him?
VERDICTS
Oman – C-
If Japan had been ruthless in front of goal, we wouldn’t be talking about a hard-luck story.
Oman couldn’t do enough in a quiet second half and they need a performance against the Turkmen.
Japan – C+
Japan must hope they grow into the competition.
At present, they are being outshone by Iran and Saudi Arabia. A bravura display would do nicely to wrap things up against Uzbekistan.