The soccer that we dreamed of, Japan is doing everything.. 7-0, 5-0 → Asian gangster
Sep 11, 2024
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Japan defeated Bahrain 5-0 in the second round of the third Asian qualifying round of the '2026 North-China World Cup' held at Bahrain National Stadium in Lipa, Bahrain on the 11th (Korea time). The first match against China at home Saitama on the 5th was won 7-0. It is demonstrating complete de-Asian destructive power and is conducting a thermal demonstration.
It is in the opposite atmosphere to Korea, which met a team below one level, including Palestine and Oman, and drew after a rough match and won a new victory thanks to a score that was nothing short of a theater goal. The difference in level is palpable to the extent that the expression of a rival competing for the strongest in Asia is overshadowed.
Japan has scored 25 points and lost no points in the last five games against Asia as of the World Cup qualifiers.
In the third qualifying round, he was expected to be in the same group as Australia and Saudi Arabia, but he is laughing at it. On the contrary, Korea, which has enjoyed avoiding strong teams, is expected to have a difficult journey.
Japan scored nine goals in the first and second rounds of the third qualifying round. This means that the attack route is diverse and does not depend on a specific player.
In the match against China, Takumi Minamino scored two goals and Kubo Takefusa, Junya Ito, Kaoru Mitoma, Wantaru Endo and Daizen Maeda scored goals. In the match against Bahrain, Ayase Ueda and Hidemasa Morita scored two goals each, and Koki Ogawa also scored one goal.
Korea tends to rely on big league players such as Son Heung-min, Lee Kang-in, and Hwang Hee-chan. If they remain silent or expose their ups and downs, the game will be very difficult.
This was directly linked to the match when Son Heung-min lost two decisive chances in the match against Palestine. It ended in a 0-0 draw after a rough match. Son Heung-min's flying match against Oman won 3-1.
Compared to Japan, which does not give any gap to the underdog team, the Korean defense organization is also disappointing.
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Amid the increasing importance of defensive midfielders in modern soccer, Korea is worried. As they failed to clearly overwhelm the midfield fight, the last line was exposed to the opponent's attack and was often peeled off.
Coach Hong Myung-bo trusted Park Yong-woo, who had difficulties at the Asian Cup, to the same position, but the match against Oman was far from stable.
Of course, the probability that Korea will not even make it to the World Cup finals is very low in reality.
In the third qualifying round, in which six countries will play full leagues, even if they rank second, they will go straight to the World Cup, and the third and fourth places will also have a chance to play in the fourth qualifying round (playoff). In the fourth qualifying round, six teams compete, and even the second-place team from here will play in the World Cup. Even if it finishes third, there is still an intercontinental playoff.
However, as Korea's advance to the World Cup finals itself is not a goal, we can't help but envy Japan, which is leading far ahead.
dhhan@sportschosun.com
