Japan defeats NZ to win the championship, Ueda and Doan goals - Kirin Cup Soccer

In the last Asian Cup, Japan succumbed to the height of their opponents and were eliminated in the quarter-finals. It was not possible to cope with the situation with two center backs, which led to the adoption of three backs later.

Japan defeats NZ to win the championship, Ueda and Doan goals - Kirin Cup Soccer

New Zealand also has a style of fighting in the air at the forefront. Coach Moriyasu deliberately changed the team back to a four-back system and carried out a bold test as they aim to win the Asia Cup.

Immediately after starting. Sanomi recovered the ball from a vertical pass aimed at the opponent's ace, C. Wood, and immediately turned to attack, with Doan hitting a mid-range ball.

The coach said, ``I told them that controlling that aspect would have a big impact on the flow of the game.'' Japan took this opportunity to seize the initiative without being pushed back in the air battle. Ueda took the lead in the 28th minute of the first half from Nakano's cross.

The goals conceded after that were due to mistakes, not because they were broken. Rather than that, what shined was the dynamic attack. Doan, who had been positioned in front of the previous wing-backs, repeatedly approached the goal while linking up with Kubo in the center, while Maeda approached with speed from the left.

In the second half, Ito was placed at right back, and Nakamura and others, who came in as substitutes, attacked from the wings and dominated. Doan, who soon scored the winning goal, said of his response, ``With a back four, it gives us more depth (in attack).''

Four consecutive wins while testing new forces and systems. Doan said, ``I want to use this as confidence to win the Asia Cup.'' It was a fruitful four-game series in autumn for Moriyasu Japan's long-awaited victory in Asia.