Japan beat USA, Son's late goal earns S. Korean draw with Costa Rica

0 Comment(s)Print E-mail Xinhua, September 24, 2022
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TOKYO, Sept. 23 (Xinhua) -- Japan beat fellow World Cup qualifiers the United States 2-0 through goals from Daichi Kamada and Kaoru Mitoma in a World Cup warmup match in Dusseldorf, Germany, on Friday.

Eintracht Frankfurt forward Kamada opened the scoring in the 24th minute while English Premier League side Brighton's Mitoma doubled the lead for Japan in the 88th to down an under-strength U.S. squad.

The Americans, who were without Chelsea star Christian Pulisic, made zero shots on goal and were completely outplayed by the Japanese, whose 30-member squad had a total of 22 players from European clubs.

Japan will face Ecuador next Tuesday and the U.S. side take on Saudi Arabia on the same day.

At Goyang Stadium near Seoul, Tottenham striker Son Heung-min scored a late free kick to earn host South Korea a 2-2 draw with Costa Rica.

Forward Hwang Hee-chan put South Korea ahead in the 28th minute when he fired a low pass from right back Yoon Jong-gyu into the bottom right corner.

Jewison Bennette equalized the score in the 41st minute by heading home a cross from Gerson Torres.

The 18-year-old Bennette, who plays with English Championship side Sunderland, scored his second international goal in the 62nd minute to give Costa Rica a 2-1 lead.

South Korean players stepped up their offense in front of a capacity crowd and their hard work turned out fruitful with nine minutes remaining.

Costa Rican goalkeeper was shown a red card after handling the ball outside the box and the hosts were awarded a free kick.

Son, who hit a hat-trick in Tottenham's 6-2 rout of Leicester last Saturday, stepped in and his right-footed effort left Costa Rica's new goalkeeper to have no chance.

South Korea have been drawn in Group H with Portugal, Uruguay and Ghana in the Qatar World Cup while Japan play in Group E against Germany, Spain and Costa Rica. Enditem

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