Soccer-Kamada and Mitoma strike as Japan breeze past United States

Kamada

23/09/2022 15:55

Sept 23 (Reuters) - Daichi Kamada and Kaoru Mitoma were
on target as Japan continued their preparations for November's
World Cup in Qatar with a 2-0 win over the United States in
Dusseldorf on Friday.
    Kamada's 24th minute strike was given after VAR overruled
the onfield officials who believed the Eintracht Frankfurt
forward was offside while Mitoma added the second for Hajime
Moriyasu's side with two minutes remaining.
    Jesus Ferreira's early header had sailed over the bar from
Sergino Dest's cross in an encouraging start for the United
States, but that was to prove a rare sight of goal for Gregg
Berhalter's side.
    Kamada was denied by Matt Turner in the 13th minute before
giving the Samurai Blue the lead 11 minutes later when he calmly
slotted home after Hidemasa Morita's lay-off.
    The goal had initially been ruled out for offside before it
was confirmed by VAR that Kamada had been in line with the
defence as he received the ball.
    Arsenal goalkeeper Turner ensured the United States were not
on the end of a heavier defeat with a string of fine saves in
the second half.
    The 28-year-old kept out a 55th minute effort from Junya Ito
before denying Kamada a second of the game 10 minutes later. He
then tipped substitute winger Ritsu Doan's shot over the bar.
    But there was nothing Turner could do to prevent Mitoma from
adding Japan's second in the 88th minute.
    The livewire Brighton and Hove Albion winger scythed through
the defence with ease having picked up the ball on the left
touchline before bending a trademark low right-foot shot into
the bottom corner.
    The Japanese will be appearing at their seventh consecutive
World Cup in November and have been drawn to face Germany, Spain
and Costa Rica in the group phase while the United States meet
England, Iran and Wales.
 (Reporting by Michael Church in Hong Kong, Editing by Pritha
Sarkar)
 ((Michael.Church@thomsonreuters.com; +852 9023 4874;))