Once again, KUBO Takefusa excelled when he returned to his hometown.
With Kubo’s goal midway through the second half, Japan’s home team defeated South Africa 1-0 on Thursday night to kick off their Tokyo 2020 campaign (22 July).
The hope of a nation rested on the shoulders of a 20-year-old who scored the opening goal in the 71st minute, beating South African goalkeeper Ronwen Williams to the bottom left corner.
Kubo played four years at FC Tokyo, who play their home games at Tokyo Stadium, after coming through the ranks of Barcelona’s youth programme to widespread acclaim.
Once again, the ‘Left-footed One’ saved the day for the Samurai Blue crowd, who were visibly missing when it appeared South Africa may steal a point, just as he used to do when he played for FC Tokyo.
After the first half of Japan’s Olympic debut, coach Hajime Moriyasu had a straightforward message for his team.
Never stop opening doors.
Japan took advantage of several opportunities against South Africa on Thursday night at Tokyo Stadium, and the result was a 1-0 victory thanks to a goal from Takefusa Kubo in the 71st minute.
Japan’s manager, Hajime Moriyasu, felt his team had a good chance to win because they had created many scoring opportunities in the second half.
Kubo received a pass on the right wing, turned, and shot over a South African player’s outstretched leg and goalkeeper Ronwen Williams’s diving save. Japan would eventually win the game. After crashing through the side post, the ball found its way into the back of the net on a ricochet.
The Samurai Blue had to weather a few late-game storms before securing the victory.
First of all, that was a tough first game, and I told the guys that their hard work is what led to this result, Moriyasu remarked.
Organizers said on Monday that 18 South African players had close connections to two players and an official who tested positive for COVID-19, thus there was no certainty the match would be played when the day began.
Kubo will flourish and improve as he grows up and takes on more responsibility.
Even in the half season with FC Tokyo in 2019 where he really rose to prominence and encouraged Real to bring him to the Bernabeu, it has yet to happen at the club level.
But the Olympics will Provide him with this Opening.
Due mostly to the fact that, with the exception of three overage players, everyone in the tournament is under 24 years old, the competition is far more even than at the senior club level.
Kubo Takefusa (, Kubo Takefusa, born June 4, 2001) is a winger for La Liga side Real Sociedad and the Japan national team .
Japan’s opening game of the men’s soccer competition at the Tokyo Olympics was a 1-0 victory over South Africa, and it was scored by Real Madrid winger Takefusa Kubo in the second half.
Kubo, who turned 20 only last month, put Japan ahead with a left-footed, angled drive from the side of the box in the 71st minute. The ball went in off the far post.
