Japan Olympics crushed Macau Olympics 7-0

The representative considered the strongest in Group I in the U23 Asian qualifiers had a great opening match against the weakest opponent in the group.

Japan played easily against Macau. Photo: Duc Dong.

Japan Olympic, considered the strongest team in Group I, sent a statement of strength in the opening match on the afternoon of March 27. The young "Samurai" only needed the first 45 minutes to finish the match, leading Macau Olympic 4-0. The players who scored the goals were Endo, Toyokawa Yuta, Notsuda Gakuto and Tang Hou Fai (own goal).

In the second half, the Japanese Olympic team slowed down the pace of the match, playing like a practice match. But Musashi Suzuki, the Jamaican striker, Gakuto and Takumi Minamino still scored three more goals to complete the jubilant goal party in Shah Alam.

Japan Olympic showed a diverse and tactical style of play. That was shown through the goals, from headers, long shots, set pieces to coordination. The players also showed their understanding through smooth coordination. It is difficult to evaluate Japan's defense in this match because the backline players did not work much. Macau Olympic had very little ball control (about 20% of the time). The white team also did not have any shots on target.

In the first 20 minutes, the Japanese Olympic team had difficulty finding a way into the penalty area because the Macau Olympic team played a defensive game with a large number of players. Therefore, the blue team often passed the ball out to the wing to spread out the formation and mainly played crosses. Their superior physique also helped this tactic to be effective.

In the 22nd minute, captain Endo broke the deadlock with a header from a corner kick. Before they could recover, Olympic Macau conceded three more goals in just 10 minutes. The second goal also came from a header, coming from a cross from the right wing. Gakuto's goal to make it 3-0 was a thunderous finish from the edge of the penalty area.

Macau's young players were so confused that they headed a harmless cross into their own net in the 33rd minute.

Takumi (13) came on as a substitute and did not show much in the opening match. Photo: Duc Dong.

After scoring four goals in a row, the Japanese Olympic team played more rhythmically and with more of a showmanship. Their effective one-touch combinations at short range left the Macau Olympic defense standing by and watching many times.

In the 66th minute, Suzuki received a smart pass from his teammate and finished delicately.

In the last two minutes of extra time, Macau Olympic's physical strength was reduced, making it impossible for them to keep up with their opponents' attacks, leading to two goals from beautiful combinations.

In the second round, Vietnam Olympic team will meet Japan, a match that promises to be difficult for the young Southeast Asian players.

According to VNE