Canada beats Japan in final World Cup warm-up
Published
Lucas Cavallini scored a penalty in added time as Canada earned a 2-1 win over Japan Thursday in their final World Cup warm-up on Thursday.
Steven Vitória also scored for Canada in the win over Japan, who are ranked 24th in the world.
Yuki Somo scored the lone goal for Japan, beating Milan Borjan on a volley to open the scoring in the ninth minute of the game.
Richie Laryea earned the penalty for Canada and Cavallini was almost denied by goalkeeper Shūichi Gonda, who got a hand on his attempt that was down the centre of the net.
Canada outshot Japan 17-7 in the match, with three shots on target to their opponent's two. Canada also finished with 55 per cent possession and earned eight corners to Japan's two.
The CanMNT will next be in action in their first game of the World Cup against Belgium on Wednesday.
Look back at how Thursday's 2-1 win played out with TSN.ca's Live Blog:
90+6': Full time called
90+4': Cavallini scores
Lucas Cavallini scores on the penalty to put Canada up 2-1. Cavallini attempted to go up the middle on the quick, and while the goaltender got a hand on his attempt, he could not keep it out.
90+4': Canada wins a penalty
Richie Laryea drives in the box and is tripped by Miki Yamane, earning Canada a penalty with a chance to win the game.
90+2': Canada's corner is punched away
Canada continues to push for the winning goal, but a corner put towards goal is punched away. The ensuing corner was also well defended by Japan.
90': 4 minutes added on
89': Japan hits the post
In their dangerous attack of the half, Japan surges on Canada with Miki Yamane getting a direct look on goal from inside the box, but he puts his shot off the post as the score remains level at 1-1.
85': Japan subs on Yoshida
Maya Yoshida enters the game and takes the captain's armband as Japan subs off Takumi Minamino.
82': David's header is blocked
Canada's pressure continues with Jonathan David getting a free header in the box, but his attempt is blocked before it could reach goal.
79': Canada wins a deep free kick
Canada's Richie Laryea wins a free kick near the corner flag, but the attempt is played short and headed away by Japan.
74': David misses again
Given another strong shooting opportunity just outside the box, Jonathan David misses the target wide for a second time.
71': Canada subs off Johnston, Larin
Alistair Johnston who received a yellow card in the 19th minute is subbed off for Canada as Joel Waterman comes on.
Cyle Larin was also subbed off by Canada with Lucas Cavallini coming on in his place.
66': Two more changes for Japan
Ao Tanaka and Ko Itakura are subbed off as Yuto Nagatomo and Daichi Kamada enter the game for Japan.
63': Osorio puts his first shot over the bar
Jonathan Osorio quickly gets a good look in the offensive zone, but puts his first shot of the game well over the bar.
61': Canada makes three changes
Jonathan Osorio, Mark-Anthony Kaye and Richie Laryea enter the game, while Sam Adekugbe, Atiba Hutchinson and Tajon Buchanan are subbed off.
59': Borjan stops Minnamino
Takumi Minamino gets a free run up the middle of the field, but his shot fails to trouble Milan Borjan.
56': Japan wins a free kick in dangerous position, Vitória booked
Steven Vitória commits a foul just outside Canada's box, setting up a dangerous chance for Japan. Vitória received a yellow card for the challenge.
Canada's wall blocks the Ritsu Doan shot.
46': David fouled
Jonathan David is fouled early in the second frame, but appears to be fine after the collision.
45': Second Half Underway, both teams make changes
Japan makes three changes at the break, bringing on Ritsu Doan, Ayase Ueda and Miki Yamane. Hiroki Sakai, Takuma Asano, Takefusa Kubo were subbed off.
Koné was indeed subbed on for Canada, replacing Samuel Piette.
Koné to come on?
TSN's Matthew Scianitti reports Ismaël Koné was warming up during the latter stages of the first half and is expected to see playing time in the second half.
STATS AT THE HALF
Canada comes away with the stronger stats at the half, topping Japan in shots and possession in the first 45 minutes.
Shots: Canada 12, Japan 3
Shots on Target: Canada 2, Japan 1
Possession: Canada 52%, Japan 48%
Passes: Canada 252, Japan 237
Fouls: Japan 8, Canada 3
Canada's Alistair Johnston was the lone player to pick up a yellow card in the first half.
45+3': Halftime - Japan 1, Canada 1
Japan closed the first half with a strong spell of possession but failed to register a shot in the process.
45': Three minutes of additional time added on
40': Canada's free kick headed wide
After winning another free kick in the offensive end, Japan's backline denies Canada an opportunity in the box, heading the attempt wide. Canada could not capitalize on the ensuing corner.
39': Sakai's shot goes over the bar
Looking to surprise Canada off a deep ball, Hiroki Sakai puts his volley well over Canada's net from inside the box.
34': David's shot goes wide
After a turnover in the offensive end, Jonathan David looks to capitalize quickly, but puts his shot wide of the next from just outside the box.
31': Buchanan wins a free kick
As Canada continues to press, Tajon Buchanan wins a free kick just outside the Japan's box. The attempt from Sam Adekugbe sails well over the bar.
28': Buchanan shot is stopped
Tajon Buchanan shot from deep in the box is stopped and pushed out for a corner.
21': Canada ties it up
Steven Vitória scores to draw level off of corner. Junior Hoilett's corner kick found Vitória off a deflection in the centre of the box for the team's opening goal.
19': Japan's shot goes just wide
A fast-break for Japan leads to their best chance since their opening goal, with Takefusa Kubo shot crossing the face of goal and going just wide.
19': Johnston sees yellow
Alistair Johnston breaks up Japan's counter with a hard tackle and receives the first yellow card of the match.
17': Canada win another corner
After strong offensive pressure, Canada wins another corner, with a deflection falling to Samuel Piette at the edge of the box, but his shot attempt is blocked.
11': Canada wins a corner, can't capitalize
Steven Vitória puts his header over the bar off of the Canada corner.
9': Japan opens the scoring
Yuki Somo sneaks behind the Canadian backline and beats Milan Borjan on a volley to open the scoring in the friendly.
1': Friendly Kicks off
Starting XI:
After his status was in doubt as of Wednesday, Stephen Eustaquio starts on the bench, while Samuel Piette draws into the starting lineup in his place.
Cyle Larin starts alongside Jonathan David at the top of the formation, while Junior Hoilett draws in the lineup with Canada still waiting for Alphonso Davies to join the team.
Pregame coverage:
Canada's manager John Herdman broke down the challenges his team faces against Japan on Wednesday.
Japan, ranked 24th in the world, will be making their seventh consecutive World Cup appearance and nearly upset Belgium four years ago in the Round of 16.
The TSN World Cup panel discussed what the absence of Stephen Eustaquio would mean for Canada, who will play their first game of the World Cup on Wednesday against Belgium.
Duthie checks in from Qatar
TSN's James Duthie spoke to TSN Radio on Thursday morning, breaking down the latest on Team Canada ahead of their final friendly.