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National teams 14 October 2023, 00:50

Back in the side, Taki Minamino and Japan win against Canada!

Back in the side, Taki Minamino and Japan win against Canada!
After his return to playing in blue, Takumi Minamino played his first minutes with Japan since the 2022 World Cup. Against Canada, the Samuraï made short work of the Reds (4-1).

He worked hard, and he deserved it! Back with the Samurai Blue for the first time since the World Cup after a great start to the season, Takumi Minamino started in a friendly with Japan against Canada as part of the international break. And they did very well as they easily won (4-1).

A perfect start to the match

With the physical energy that we know from them, Taki and his teammates started strong, and opened the scoring early, with a shot from Ao Tanaka, slightly deflected by a Canadian foot (2′, 1-0). The Canadians then had the opportunity to come back, but Jonathan David saw his penalty perfectly denied by Keisuke Osako (22′).

Minamino involved in two goals

This first would soon lead to a second, and it would come from Alphonso Davies, who deflected the ball into his own net (39′, 2-0), perhaps hampered by a tackle from the Monegasque player at the near post. Unstoppable, the Japanese side multiplied the opportunities, and made it three a few moments later, with a goal by Keito Nakamura (42′, 3-0).

From the start of the second half, the Samurai did not give Canada any respite, and if they did not score, Taki was still in good form, since it is he who gave a superb delivery to the feet of Ito, who just has to slip it to Tanaka, who scored a double (49′, 4-0). The match thus turned into a demonstration, and the a consolation goal from Junior Hoilett (89′, 4-1) would not change anything.

5 wins in a row with at least 4 goals

Japan likes to impose itself in style at home. Undefeated since March 2023, and on a run of 5 victories with at least 4 goals scored, Takumi Minamino and his team sent a strong message to his competitors, before the serious things begin: the qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup, and the Asian Cup, which starts in early January.

But first, the Japanese have a friendly to play against Tunisia. See you in Kobe on October 17! (12:10).