Back To School For Japan After Squeaky 3-2 Asian Cup Comeback

Zeeshan Mehtab Published January 10, 2019 | 05:17 PM

Japan captain Maya Yoshida admitted the former champions had failed to do sufficient homework on Turkmenistan after coming from behind to win their Asian Cup opener 3-2 on Wednesday

Abu Dhabi, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 10th Jan, 2019 ) :Japan captain Maya Yoshida admitted the former champions had failed to do sufficient homework on Turkmenistan after coming from behind to win their Asian Cup opener 3-2 on Wednesday.

A quickfire Yuya Osako double triggered Japan's fightback in the Abu Dhabi sunshine after they went into the halftime interval 1-0 down in their Group F clash.

The Blue Samurai reached the knockout stages of last year's World Cup but had to dig deep against against Turkmenistan in an absorbing match.

"We made a terrible start and made things difficult for ourselves," said Southampton defender Yoshida.

"They really surprised us -- we didn't have enough information on them to be honest." Turkmenistan captain Arslan Amanov put the plucky underdogs ahead after 26 minutes, unleashing a ferocious long-range drive that arrowed into the top corner.

But Osako produced a smart turn and finish inside the box to equalise for Japan 10 minutes into the second half following sustained pressure from the four-time Asian champions.

The Werder Bremen striker put Japan in front four minutes later, tapping into an empty net after Yuto Nagatomo's dinked pass over goalkeeper Mammet Orazmuhammedow.