Soccer
Soccer: Minamino and Doan Lead Japan Past Ghana in Friendly
A month after beating the Brazil men's soccer national team for the first time, Japan had a methodical performance against Ghana en route to a 2-0 victory.
Takumi Minamino put Japan in front in the 16th minute, scoring on a low shot past Ghana goalkeeper Joseph Tetteh Anang in an international soccer friendly on Friday night, November 14.
Forward Kaishu Sano delivered a sharp pass to set up the game-winning goal in the Samurai Blue's 2-0 triumph in Toyota, Aichi Prefecture.
On Friday, there was no letdown for the Japan soccer squad in its first match since its historic come-from-behind win over Brazil on October 14. Before that 3-2 victory in Tokyo (with all three goals coming in the second half of the friendly), Japan had an 0-11-2 record against Brazil.
World No 19 Japan maintained an aggressive mindset on offense throughout the match against Ghana. That produced a 13-5 advantage in shots, including an 8-2 edge in the first half.
At the same time, 73rd-ranked Ghana maintained a defensive posture throughout the match.
But Japan was effective in creating scoring chances, with quality passes igniting opportunities.
In the 60th minute, Ritsu Doan rifled a left-footed shot from inside the box that curled into the lower-right corner of the net to make it 2-0. Takefusa Kubo was credited with an assist.
In place of injured goalkeeper Zion Suzuki, Tomoki Hayakawa (Kashima Antlers) was handed the starting assignment for Japan. Hayakawa effectively handled the task, including stopping Kamaldeen Sulemana's on-target shot in the 64th minute.
Preparations for Soccer's World Cup
In another international friendly, Japan faces Bolivia on Tuesday, November 18 at National Stadium in Tokyo as manager Hajime Moriyasu's squad continues its preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Ghana travels to Seoul to take on South Korea on the same night. The African nation qualified for the World Cup on October 12 with a 1-0 victory over Comoros. Mohammed Kudus, who plays professionally for Tottenham Hotspur, secured Ghana's trip to the World Cup with a 47th-minute goal.
The final draw for the 2026 World Cup will be held on December 5 in Washington, and 48 teams will be divided into 12 groups for the initial stage of the tournament.
Japan vs Ghana: Post-Match Reactions
How did Doan assess Japan's performance against Ghana?
"There was a different kind of pressure tonight coming after the Brazil game," the Eintracht Frankfurt forward said, according to Agence France-Presse. "We wanted to try to avoid the ups and downs that come in football and I'm glad that we were able to deliver the win."
Minamino served as Japan's fill-in captain for Wataru Endo for the third consecutive match.
Endo is currently recovering from a hamstring injury. He sustained the injury in Liverpool's English Premier League match against Chelsea on October 4.
Moriyasu believes the 30-year-old Minamino is a natural fit to step in as captain in Endo's absence from the field.
"Observing our daily activities, I saw that he can take care of his own responsibilities while also supporting his teammates," Moriyasu said of Minamino, according to Sports Hochi.
Moriyasu added, "Takumi was the best choice to lead," citing his team-high 71 national team appearances among active players prior to Friday's match.
Japan's overall performance against Ghana was satisfactory, according to Moriyasu.
"Today was good practice for the World Cup in how to break down a high-quality, well-organized team that hunkers down on defense," Moriyasu was quoted as saying by Agence France-Presse. "We were able to prize them open."
RELATED:
- Japan Soccer Squad Makes History with 1st-Ever Victory Over Brazil
- Soccer Analysis: Japan Booked 2026 World Cup Place in Style
Author: Ed Odeven
Find Ed on JAPAN Forward's dedicated website, SportsLook. Follow his [Japan Sports Notebook] on Sundays, [Odds and Evens] during the week, and X (formerly Twitter) ＠ed_odeven.