You couldn’t have wished for a better start at an international tournament. Werder attacker Yuya Osako started for Japan in their opening Asian Cup match against Turkmenistan on Wednesday and helped to secure a 3-2 victory.
You couldn’t have wished for a better start at an international tournament. Werder attacker Yuya Osako started for Japan in their opening Asian Cup match against Turkmenistan on Wednesday and helped to secure a 3-2 victory.
That wasn’t enough for the Green-Whites forward. After falling behind half-way through the first half, Osako scored two goals in just four second half minutes (56’ and 60’) to turn the match in favour of the Samurai Blues. Ritsu Doan, who plays for FC Groningen in the Netherlands, increased the lead ten minutes later. Despite Turkmenistan pulling one goal back in the 79th minute, Japan held on for the victory.
Yuya Osako will hope to feature for Japan in their remaining group stage fixtures against Oman (13th January) and Uzbekistan (17th January).