[Qatar World Cup] Japan, plagued by injuries, suffers comeback defeat to Canada

Soma Yuki's Early Goal Lead Not Maintained, Losing 1-2

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

Japan's national football team suffered a come-from-behind defeat in their final warm-up match ahead of the 2022 FIFA World Cup group stage. On the 17th (local time), they lost 1-2 to Canada at Al Maktoum Stadium in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE). Although Yuki Soma (Nagoya Grampus) scored the opening goal to take the lead, they could not compensate for the absence of key injured players.

Japan finalized their squad with the best players, including twenty Europe-based players, but Wataru Endo (Stuttgart), Hidemasa Morita (Lisbon), and Kaoru Mitoma (Brighton) did not participate in the match. However, Soma scored just 9 minutes into the first half. Gaku Shibasaki (Legan?s) delivered a long pass near the center circle, which Soma intercepted in the penalty area and converted into a goal.

The momentum did not last long. At the 21st minute of the first half, Steven Vit?ria (Chaves) scored against Japan. Although Japan fought hard in the midfield battle that followed, they conceded a penalty kick in stoppage time of the second half. Goalkeeper Shuichi Gonda (Shimizu S-Pulse) was unable to save a shot from Lucas Cavallini (Vancouver Whitecaps) and bowed his head.

Japan has been placed in Group E alongside Spain, Germany, and Costa Rica for the Qatar World Cup. They will play their first match against Germany at 10 PM Korea Standard Time on the 23rd. Canada, returning to the World Cup finals for the first time in 36 years since the 1986 Mexico tournament, will face Belgium, Croatia, and Morocco in Group F.