Japan notably needed a double from Takumi Minamino to defeat the surprising Vietnam (4-2) on the first day of the Asian Cup of Nations.
Favorite of the competition, Japan suffered to defeat Vietnam (4-2) this Sunday, as part of the first day of the Asian Cup of Nations.
The surprising team led by Frenchman Philippe Troussier even led the score, thanks to goals from Dinh Bac Nguyen (18th) and Tuan Hai Pham (33rd), who took advantage of a big error by the Japanese goalkeeper.
Japan was able to react with Monegasque Takumi Minamino, author of the opener (11th), who equalized at the end of the first period (45th). And it was another Ligue 1 player, Rémois Keito Nakamura, who gave his team the advantage just before the break with a brilliant strike (45th+4).
Ladies and gentlemen: the little prince of Reims Keito Nakamura in his works
(Japan’s offensive potential is definitely rubbish) 🚀🇯🇵
— Scipio (@Scipionista) January 14, 2024
Entering the game, Ayase Ueda killed the suspense at the end of the match (85th), and Japan took the three points before facing Iraq in five days. Vietnam will try to confirm this promising start against Indonesia.
