Football International Friendly: Japan vs. Argentina- Full Time Report (Part 1)
The second half started with both the teams taking their positions. The Argentineans had already made two changes after the first goal as it could be seen that Sergio Baptista’s side was not performing with the same organized manner as
they performed against the World Champions, Spain. Maybe it was because they underestimated the Asian side, or because of lack of fitness of star players; whatever it was, they were failing miserably against the Japanese defence throughout the first half.
There was not a single one-on-one opportunity for the Argentineans and they were losing the game against the Blue Samurais.
No changes were made by the Japanese side as they were already performing too well. They were well organized throughout the first half. Despite the fact that the first goal came off because of a “little” luck factor, they were still leading one of the best
South American teams, Argentina.
The second half was kicked off by the Argentineans and it was seen that the South Americans were trying to keep possession of the ball. The Japanese were mostly chasing shadows for the first five minutes as the Argentineans were not letting the Blue Samurais
even touch the ball.
The Asians were simply dominating the game as they camped around their 18 yard box and played only a single striker up front. The only way they were trying to score a goal was through “counter attacking” and they were actually succeeding as they were able
to crack the Argentinean defence twice, earlier during the second half.
Honda earned the team a free kick outside the 18 yard box during the 9th minute of the game. The shot was struck well but Romero was there to save the day for the Argentineans and deflected the ball outside for a corner. The corner was well defended
by the South Americans as the deflected shot was headed wide by the Japanese midfielder, Endo.
During the 14th minute of the second half, Lionel Messi tried to take a shot from 38 yards out. Even though the shot did not find the net or the keeper’s glove, it was well struck and looked to be dangerous for the Japanese. This was the first
“alarming” shot on goal over the Japanese goalkeeper as the world’s best player showed that he was not only capable of dribbling, but was also able to shoot from far away.
During the 65th minute as Takyuki Morimoto was taken off for Riyoichi Maeda . The very next minute, the Argentineans capitalized and Lionel Messi was the one who was able to give a through ball to Carlos Tevez; however, the Manchester United man
tried with his weaker left foot and the amazing chance was simply thrown away.
During the 72nd minute, the newly introduced Naeda crossed the ball from the right flank and the dream ball almost found Honda but the Japanese star could not really touch the ball into the net and the ball went out for a goal kick.
The Argentineans were building up slowly from the back to try to score a goal and in the 74th minute, a wonder ball from Demichelis found Tevez alone up front. Tevez was well blocked by the Argentinean defence. Despite the haul that the Japanese
made on Tevez, the Manchester City striker found Lionel Messi around the 18 yard line. Messi tried to shoot the ball into the goal, but it was well saved by Kawashima.
Lionel Messi was being the only threat throughout the game. The very next minute he found the ball at his feet as it was back heeled towards him by the youngster Javier Pastore, who came early on for Andres D’Allesandro during the 61st minute.
The ball was well crossed in by the wonder boy Lionel Messi but Higuain could not tap the ball in towards the net and another chance was thrown away by the South Americans.
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