'We need to forget win over Germany' - head coach Moriyasu
Japan take on Costa Rica in Group E of World Cup 2022 this morning as they hope to secure a spot in the last 16 today. Their opening game versus Germany was one of the shocks of the tournament as Hajime Moriyasu’s men fought from a goal down to win 2-1 thanks to two goals in the second half. That victory puts Japan on three points and another win today will see them qualify if Spain avoid defeat to Germany in the late kick off.
They face a Costa Rica side low on confidence after they were soundly beaten 7-0 by Spain last time out. The Central American side have only reached the knockout rounds once since 1990 and failed to win a single game in Russia 2018 which, based on the evidence of their first game, looks likely to happen again during this tournament.
There are calls to make over personnel for both managers. It was Japan’s substitutes who changed the game against so will Moriyasu stick or twist with his starting XI?
Costa Rica boss, Luis Fernando Suarez, has a similar call to make – but for different reasons as his entire team were woeful against Spain – and he will be hoping that whoever starts will play better if his side have any hope of earning a point in this group.
Follow all the action from Qatar with our live blog below:
Japan 0-0 Costa Rica
76 mins: Junya Ito’s cross from the right side almost finds Kamada but it goes over his head and is safely booted out of play by Keysher Fuller.
The resultant corner comes swinging into the penalty area and gets nodded out for another set piece. Good pressure from Japan this.
Japan 0-0 Costa Rica
73 mins: Kamada drills Japan’s free kick right into the wall and Soma blasts the rebound back into the box only to have his own effort blocked.
Still no way through for Japan.
Japan 0-0 Costa Rica
72 mins: Francisco Calvo is a lucky, lucky man. Junya Ito receives the ball and spins away from Calvo before driving into the box. The Japanese striker has the chance to shoot but Calvo pulls him back and makes the foul mere inches outside the penalty area.
The referee pulls out a yellow card for the Costa Rican defender but it easily could have been red for denying a goalscoring opportunity.
Japan 0-0 Costa Rica
69 mins: 19-year-old midfielder Brandon Aguilera and 18-year-old Jewison Bennette are on for Costa Rica to give them some fresh legs and a bit of pace in transition.
Gerson Torres and Antony Contreras are the two men replaced.
Japan 0-0 Costa Rica
66 mins: Junya Ito has also come on. Hajime Moriyasu is properly going for the win now, he’s flooding the forward line with attackers but Japan still haven’t found a way to break Costa Rica down.
Japan 0-0 Costa Rica
63 mins: Yuki Soma hits it! He lifts the ball over the wall but can’t get it to dip in time and the effort sails over the crossbar.
Kaoru Mitoma is introduced for Japan to provide them with another attacking option.
Japan 0-0 Costa Rica
60 mins: Endo has come alive for Japan in this second half. He’s getting more time on the ball around the Costa Rica box and causing issues for the defence.
Cutting inside from the right Endo is brought down on the edge of the ‘D’ have Japan have a free kick in a dangerous area.
Japan 0-0 Costa Rica
57 mins: Chance! Yuki Soma receives the ball on the left wing and drives up to the box. He cuts inside and goes for goal but hooks his right footed effort well wide of the far post!
The effort was poor but it’s an encouraging sign from Japan.
Japan 0-0 Costa Rica
54 mins: Ito is penalised for a nudge in the back of Gerson Torres. Joel Campbell sends the free kick up towards the box with Kendall Watson the main target.
He finds himself well marked and the ball drops over his head before bouncing out for a goal kick.