[Olympic Soccer] Japan and China Eliminated in Group Stage with Two Consecutive Losses... Harsh Criticism from Japanese Media

Kim Hak-bum's Team Must Finish in Top 3 to Secure Tokyo Ticket

In the 2020 AFC U-23 Group B match between Japan and Syria, Japan's Hashioka and Syria's Al Hallak competing for an aerial ball
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Sung-yeol] Japan and China were eliminated from the qualifiers after two consecutive losses in the group stage of the '2020 AFC U-23'. Although Japan secured a spot in the Olympic finals as the host country, harsh criticism continues within Japan.

The Japan U-23 national football team lost 1-2 to Syria in the second match of Group B in the 2020 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) U-23 Championship, held at Thammasat Stadium in Pathum Thani, Thailand, at 10:15 PM KST on the 12th.

Having lost 1-2 to Saudi Arabia in the first group match, Japan was eliminated from advancing to the quarterfinals regardless of the result against Qatar in the third match.

With Japan's early exit, the South Korean team led by coach Kim Hak-bum must finish in the top three to qualify for the Olympic finals.

In this tournament, the top three teams excluding Japan will receive tickets to Tokyo.

Although Japan was eliminated in the group stage, they can participate in the Olympic finals as the host nation of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

In the 5th minute of the first half, during a corner kick situation, Arnout attempted a header inside the penalty box but was tripped by a defender’s foot, resulting in a penalty kick. Barakat calmly scored the goal in the 8th minute of the first half.

In the 29th minute of the first half, Japan’s Soma scored an equalizer by following up on a right-footed mid-range shot that bounced off a defender.

Then, in the 42nd minute of the second half, during a Syrian counterattack, Al Dali started running with the ball from the middle of the field and scored the winning goal by shooting over the goalkeeper.

Japanese media have expressed concern about the Olympic finals.

Japan’s media outlet 'Daily Shincho' reported after the Syria match, "Under coach Hajime Moriyasu’s system, dark clouds may gather over the hunt for the Tokyo Olympic gold medal."

They added, "The problem is that coach Moriyasu is managing both the A national team and the Olympic team," and "A dedicated coach for the U-23 team is necessary."

Japan’s sports specialist media 'Nikkan Sports' claimed, "Elimination in the group stage is a humiliation for Japanese football," and "Without the home advantage, qualifying for the Olympic finals would have been difficult."

Japan Football Association (JFA) president Kozo Tajima said in an interview with Japan’s sports media 'Sports Hochi', "Coach Moriyasu is trying various approaches while managing both teams, but the defeat is regrettable," and "We do not intend to tolerate the result of the loss."

China, like Japan, was eliminated after two consecutive losses in the group stage, ending their Olympic qualification hopes.

China lost 0-1 to South Korea and then 0-2 to Uzbekistan.

Having failed to score in two matches, China’s elimination was confirmed regardless of the remaining match against Iran.

Since qualifying as the host nation for the 2008 Beijing Olympics, China has failed to reach the Olympic finals for three consecutive times.