Monday 28 October 2019, 00:52

Japan ease to victory in battle of champions

  • Yamato Wakatsuki nets double as Japan overwhelm the Netherlands

  • Japan deserving winners after creating better goalscoring opportunities

  • Both teams were crowned continental champions during qualifying

Japan laid out their credentials at the FIFA U-17 World Cup Brazil 2019™ with a convincing 3-0 win over the Netherlands in Vitoria on Sunday. Yamato Wakatsuki scored in each half, while Jun Nishikawa added a third from the penalty spot as the Asian champions made a statement of intent at Brazil 2019.

Japan [[flag-jpn-xs]]

Japan grabbed a stranglehold of the match as the first half progressed, with their opener nine minutes before the break proving a portent of things to come. Impressive No10 Nishikawa set up striker Wakatsuki for the opener, and reprised the feat midway through the second half with an inch-perfect pass. Nishikawa got his reward from the penalty spot 13 minutes from fulltime after a spot-kick was awarded for handball.

Netherlands [[flag-ned-xs]]

The Netherlands face a major challenge now in a tough group which also features Senegal and USA. However, they can take some positives from the contest after dominating possession and nearly matching their opponents for shots on target, even if Japan looked more dangerous in the attacking third.

Up next

30 October

Group D [[flag-ned-xs]] Netherlands-Senegal [[flag-sen-xs]] (Vitoria/Cariacica, 17:00 local time) [[flag-usa-xs]] USA-Japan [[flag-jpn-xs]] (Vitoria/Cariacica, 20:00 local time)