NationalMatches Men's National Team vs Japan
November 17, 2022 | Kickoff: 08:40AM ET
[2022-11] Pre-tournament camp in Qatar & UAE
Men's National Team

Men's National Team

2 - 1

Japan

Japan

Dubai, United Arab Emirates | Al Maktoum Stadium

  • Lucas Cavallini

    94'

  • Lucas Cavallini
    Cyle Larin

    71'

  • Joel Waterman
    Alistair Johnston

    71'

  • Richie Laryea
    Samuel Adekugbe

    60'

  • Jonathan Osorio
    Tajon Buchanan

    60'

  • Jonathan Osorio
    Tajon Buchanan

    60'

  • Ismaël Koné
    Samuel Piette

    46'

  • Steven Vitória

    21'
  • 9'

    Yuki Soma

Timeline

Men's National Team
  • KO

    KO

  • 9 ' | Yuki Soma

  • 21 ' | Steven Vitória

  • HT

    HT

  • 46 ' | Ismaël Koné - Samuel Piette

  • 60 ' | Jonathan Osorio - Tajon Buchanan

  • 60 ' | Jonathan Osorio - Tajon Buchanan

  • 60 ' | Richie Laryea - Samuel Adekugbe

  • 71 ' | Joel Waterman - Alistair Johnston

  • 71 ' | Lucas Cavallini - Cyle Larin

  • 94 ' | Lucas Cavallini

  • FT

    FT

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Japan

Match Report

Canada Soccer’s Men’s National Team triumphed over Japan 2:1 in an international friendly in Dubai at the Al Maktoum Stadium. This contest marks the third match of all-time between the two nations and Canada’s first win against Japan, while the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar is just days away.

Japan opened the scoring with a goal in the ninth minute from Yuki Soma before Canada’s Steven Vitória answered back with a goal from close range in the 20th minute. The match was heading towards a one-all draw until Lucas Cavallini stepped up to score a Panenka from the penalty spot in the 94th minute.

Canadian Winger and team veteran Junior Hoilett was awarded player of the match after playing the entire game and a major part in Canada’s attack. All throughout the night, Hoilett was whipping in crosses and curling corners that proved difficult for Japan to handle.

A 20th-minute corner saw Hoilett swing in a ball that missed everyone at the front post but found a wide-open Atiba Hutchinson at the penalty spot. Hutchinson’s takedown set Steven Vitoria who scored from around the 6-yard box to level the scoring at one-all.

A 40th-minute inswinging free-kick from Hoilett curled to the back-post to find a darting Kamal Miller. The curling ball tempted the Japanese goalkeeper Shuichi Gonda but it was his defender who came to the rescue and headed the ball out for a corner just before Miller could get his head on it.

Despite Canada’s threatening presence from set-pieces, Japan were the team that started on the front foot. Playing a high press, the Japanese forced Canada to play long balls from their defensive line to their forward line.

Canada started with a high defensive block accompanied by their high backline to start the game. This prevented Japan from playing through the midfield. However, the creative runs from the Japanese forwards allowed them to take advantage of the space behind the Canadian defenders, which was the cause of the match’s opening goal.

Canada started to find momentum around the 30-minute mark. Now aware of Japan's pressing tactics, Canada played through Japan’s midfield gaps and were able to find space in the attacking-third to operate possession.

Reluctant to sit back and defend, Canada adopted a press of their own and looked to play possession in Japan’s half. Jonathan David often picked up the ball in the final-third, outside the 18-yard box. In the 33rd minute, David shut down a Japanese counterattack by winning the ball in the attacking-third. He turned around and found himself with yards of space before firing a left-footed shot that just missed the target.

The second half saw a similar start to the first. Japan looked to the press but Canada was readily prepared. Taking the lessons they learned from the first half, Canada played out of Japan’s press with long balls to pacey players like Tajon Buchanan and David.

Canada’s wingers proved too much for the Japanese fullbacks to handle. Midway through the second half, Hoilett held off two Japanese players before spinning both of them and whipping in a cross that was cleared by the Japanese centrebacks. Substitute Richie Laryea took Japanese defender Miki Yamane down the wing for a run before drawing a foul deep in Japan’s half.

The introduction of Mark-Anthony Kaye in the 60th minute was a positive one. Kaye sat deep as a defensive midfielder and pulled the strings in the middle- and defensive-third, often dropping back to pick up the ball from goalkeeper Milan Borjan or the two Canadian centrebacks.

Canada came knocking on Japan’s door towards the end of the game. Several chances were cleared by the Japanese defence, many of which came from Hoilett crosses. However, the last attack from Canada saw Richie Laryea sneak away from his defender before running onto a pass inside Japan’s 18-yard box.

Laryea was taken down and Canada was awarded a penalty. Cavallini stepped up with confidence to place his cheeky chip-shot, commonly known as a Panenka, straight down the middle of the net.

Canada’s first victory against Japan gives the team momentum ahead of their opening World Cup match against Belgium on Wednesday.
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Starting 11

Alistair Johnston
Alistair Johnston
Fullback
Samuel Adekugbe
Samuel Adekugbe
Fullback
Kamal Miller
Kamal Miller
Centre back
Steven Vitória
Steven Vitória
Centre back
Samuel Piette
Samuel Piette
Midfielder
David Junior Hoilett
David Junior Hoilett
Forward
Tajon Buchanan
Tajon Buchanan
Forward
Atiba Hutchinson
Atiba Hutchinson
Midfielder
Cyle Larin
Cyle Larin
Forward
Milan Borjan
Milan Borjan
Goalkeeper
Jonathan David
Jonathan David
Forward

Subs

Lucas Cavallini
Lucas Cavallini
Forward
Mark-Anthony Kaye
Mark-Anthony Kaye
Midfielder
Ismaël Koné
Ismaël Koné
Midfielder
Jonathan Osorio
Jonathan Osorio
Midfielder
Richie Laryea
Richie Laryea
Fullback
Joel Waterman
Joel Waterman
Centre back

Did Not Feature

Dayne St. Clair
Dayne St. Clair
Goalkeeper
Liam Fraser
Liam Fraser
Midfielder
Iké Ugbo
Iké Ugbo
Forward
James Pantemis
James Pantemis
Goalkeeper
Lukas MacNaughton
Lukas MacNaughton
Forward
David Wotherspoon
David Wotherspoon
Midfielder
Derek Cornelius
Derek Cornelius
Centre back
Doneil Henry
Doneil Henry
Centre back

Newsfeed

Canada Soccer Canada Soccer
Nov 17, 2022 | KO

Match started between Men's National Team and Japan

Canada Soccer Canada Soccer
Nov 17, 2022 | 9'

Japan goal by Yuki Soma

0 - 1

Canada Soccer Canada Soccer
Nov 17, 2022 | 21'

Men's National Team goal by Steven Vitória (assist by Atiba Hutchinson)

1 - 1

Canada Soccer Canada Soccer
Nov 17, 2022 | HT

Halftime

Canada Soccer Canada Soccer
Nov 17, 2022 | 60'

Men's National Team Substitution of Atiba Hutchinson by Mark-Anthony Kaye

Atiba Hutchinson

Mark-Anthony Kaye

Canada Soccer Canada Soccer
Nov 17, 2022 | 60'

Men's National Team Substitution of Tajon Buchanan by Jonathan Osorio

Tajon Buchanan

Jonathan Osorio

Canada Soccer Canada Soccer
Nov 17, 2022 | 60'

Men's National Team Substitution of Samuel Adekugbe by Richie Laryea

Samuel Adekugbe

Richie Laryea

Canada Soccer Canada Soccer
Nov 17, 2022 | 70'

Men's National Team Substitution of Cyle Larin by Lucas Cavallini

Cyle Larin

Lucas Cavallini

Canada Soccer Canada Soccer
Nov 17, 2022 | 70'

Men's National Team Substitution of Alistair Johnston by Joel Waterman

Alistair Johnston

Joel Waterman

Canada Soccer Canada Soccer
Nov 17, 2022 | 94'

Men's National Team goal by Lucas Cavallini

2 - 1

Canada Soccer Canada Soccer
Nov 17, 2022 | 46'

Men's National Team Substitution of Samuel Piette by Ismaël Koné

Samuel Piette

Ismaël Koné

Canada Soccer Canada Soccer
Nov 17, 2022 | FT

Match ended, final score: 2 - 1

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