){kind=logo}
Last-minute heartbreak as Sugawara and Japan bow out
SUGAWARA AND CO. KNOCKED OUT BY STOPPAGE-TIME WINNER
29/06/26 | 3 Min
)
Yukinari Sugawara and the Japan national team have been knocked out of the World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the USA at the round-of-32 stage. They had led at one point, but conceded the decisive goal in stoppage time as they slipped to a 2-1 defeat.
Brazil made the better start, but Japan gradually worked their way into the game. After a quick break, Mainz’s Kaishu Sano put the underdogs in front (29’), before Casemiro headed Brazil level after the restart (56’). Yukinari Sugawara was then introduced in the 66th minute and was tasked with keeping Seleção star Vinicius Junior quiet.
Sugawara gave the forward very little room, but the favourites still found a way through late on. It was Arsenal’s Gabriel Martinelli who found space to strike the decisive blow and send Ancelotti’s side into the round of 16 (90’+6). Japan, meanwhile, are still waiting for a win in the knockout rounds of a World Cup.
Next up from a Green-White perspective are Marco Friedl and Romano Schmid. Austria had looked to be heading home after falling behind in their final group game against Algeria, only to rescue a 3-3 draw with virtually the last kick. They will now face European champions Spain in the round of 32 on Thursday, 2nd July (21:00 CEST), while new Werder signing Cedric Itten will also be in action for Switzerland against Algeria in the early hours of Friday, 3rd July (05:00 CEST).
:quality(80))
:quality(80))
:quality(80))
)
:quality(80))
)
:quality(80))
:quality(80))
:quality(80))
:quality(80))
:quality(80))
:quality(80))
:quality(80))
:quality(80))
:quality(80))
:quality(80))
:quality(80))
:quality(80))
:quality(80))
:quality(80))