Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu said his team would learn from their Copa America heartbreak after missing out on a place in the quarter-finals following Monday’s 1-1 draw with Ecuador.
Shoya Nakajima gave the Blue Samurai a 15th minute lead in Belo Horizonte, while substitute Daizen Maeda had a late chance to win it when put through one-on-one with goalkeeper Alexander Dominguez.
Angel Mena’s equalizer on 35 minutes and teenage sensation Takefusa Kubo’s potential stoppage-time winner being ruled out by video-assisted review meant Japan came up short.
“They’re learning to compete with top level opponents,” said Moriyasu, who brought a mostly under-23 team to Brazil as several clubs refused to release regular first choice players.
This squad is to form the basis of the under-23 team that would compete in next year’s Olympic Games in Tokyo, but it was an inglorious exit for Asia’s two guest participants in South America’s flagship tournament.
Asian champions Qatar finished bottom of Group B with one point from three games, while the team they beat in February’s continental final in the United Arab Emirates again failed to win a match in their second Copa America participation.
However, they did improve drastically on their opening match — a 4-0 thrashing by Chile — in drawing their next two games against Uruguay (2-2) and Ecuador.
“It’s a shame that we couldn’t progress to the next stage,” Moriyasu said. “We’ve managed to play good matches against strong teams from all over the world.”
Ecuador’s goal-scorer Mena said he felt proud of his team, but bitter at missing out on the next round.
“What I take away is the team’s attitude after the loss in the first game,” he said, referring to a 4-0 humbling by Uruguay. “A lot changed for the second match and the team played the football it is capable of. We had chances but did not convert them today. More importantly, the attitude and pride we displayed were paramount.”
OUT AGAINST INDONESIA: Taiwan reached the semi-finals at the tournament for the first time by defeating Denmark, with Chou Tien-chen beating Viktor Axelsen Taiwan yesterday crashed out of the Thomas Cup team competition in Chengdu, China, but achieved their best result at the top-tier badminton event by reaching the semi-finals. Indonesia were too good in the semis, winning 3-0 to advance to today’s final against China, who eliminated Malaysia 3-1. In the opening singles of the men’s team clash at the Hi-Tech Zone Sports Center Gymnasium 2, Anthony Ginting defeated Taiwan’s Chou Tien-chen 21-18, 21-19 in 51 minutes, which put a huge hole in Taiwan’s aspirations to perhaps even make the final. In the men’s doubles, Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Ardianto downed Lee Yang and Wang
Rafael Nadal on Tuesday lost in straight sets to 31st-ranked Jiri Lehecka in the fourth round at the Madrid Open, while Taiwan’s Hsieh Su-wei advanced to the semi-finals in the women’s doubles. Nadal said that he was feeling good about his progress following his latest injury layoff. Nadal called it a “positive week” in every way and said his body held up well. “I was able to play four matches, a couple of tough matches,” Nadal said. “So very positive, winning three matches, playing four matches at the high level of tennis. I enjoyed a lot playing at home. I leave here with
Top-ranked Iga Swiatek on Saturday came through “the most intense and crazy final” she has ever contested to avenge her loss to Aryna Sabalenka in last year’s Madrid Open final with a grueling three hour, 11 minute victory in the Spanish capital. Coming back from 1-3 down in the decider and saving three match points in total, Swiatek claimed a 7-5, 4-6, 7-6 (9/7) victory to secure the Madrid Open trophy for the first time. “Well, who is going to say now that women’s tennis is boring, right?” Swiatek said. Swiatek, who picked up the 20th title of her career, and ninth at
When 42-1 underdog James ‘Buster’ Douglas shocked ‘Iron’ Mike Tyson 34 years ago at the Tokyo Dome, the result reverberated worldwide. Spectators at the 45,000-plus seater venue witnessed one of boxing’s biggest upsets as unbeaten heavyweight champion Tyson was knocked out in the 10th round by the unheralded Douglas in February 1990. Boxing returns to the famous venue on Monday for the first time since that unforgettable encounter when Japan’s undisputed super-bantamweight world champion Naoya ‘Monster’ Inoue puts his belts on the line against Mexican Luis Nery. The 31-year-old Inoue (26-0, 23 KOs) is a huge star in Japan and is just