Ritsu Doan Strikes Late as Japan Beat New Zealand 2-1 to Win Kirin Cup
The Samurai Blue finish their four-match window unbeaten in Hajime Moriyasu's final home game in charge
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File photo: Ritsu Doan warming up before Japan's friendly against Thailand at Tokyo's National Stadium in January 2024. Photo: RuinDig/Yuki Uchida, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
TOKYO — Ritsu Doan scored a 71st-minute winner as Japan beat New Zealand 2-1 to win the Kirin Cup on Monday in manager Hajime Moriyasu's last game in charge on home soil, Kyodo News reported.
A crowd of 61,812 watched the final in Tokyo, according to Kyodo. Ayase Ueda gave Japan the lead in the 28th minute, hitting a bouncing ball in off the bar after Shuto Nakano's cross was not cleared.
New Zealand levelled four minutes later. Chris Wood picked up a loose back pass from Daizen Maeda and laid the ball off for Ben Old, who swept it past goalkeeper Zion Suzuki, Kyodo said.
Substitute Nakamura sets up the winner
Japan dominated much of the match. Ueda headed against the bar early in the second half, and New Zealand goalkeeper Alex Paulsen made several saves, including from Doan and substitute Ao Tanaka.
The breakthrough came when substitute Keito Nakamura danced into the box down the left and squared for Doan to tap in at the far post. Ueda had a later goal ruled out for offside.
"It was a good ball from Keito and I just had to hit the target. I'm grateful for him," said Doan, who captained the side. "I hadn't scored for a while and I'm glad to be rewarded. We're preparing to win the Asian Cup and the four wins give us big confidence."
RNZ said the All Whites defended bravely for long spells but that Japan proved too dangerous once the game became stretched.
Moriyasu's farewell at home
The 17th-ranked Samurai Blue finished the four-match window without a defeat, Kyodo said. They beat Uruguay and Venezuela in friendlies and edged Ecuador on penalties to reach the final.
"It was a difficult battle against New Zealand, who are a good team playing in the World Cup," Moriyasu said.
Moriyasu, who admitted feeling emotional seeing a packed home crowd for one last time, will lead Japan against Brazil and Paraguay in Singapore in November. The Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia, starting in January, will be his last tournament in charge, according to Kyodo.
Earlier, Panama beat Ecuador 7-6 in a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw to finish third in the four-team tournament. New Zealand return to action at home in November with a two-match series against India, RNZ reported.
Sources: Kyodo News; RNZ
