"We will win the World Cup." Japan's soccer team on a tear, defeating another European side → 'Six consecutive A-match victories'... 1-0 win against Iceland

*This content was translated by AI.

Japan, which set its sights on winning the 2026 FIFA North American World Cup, continued its peak momentum. It is a remarkable run of six consecutive A-match victories.

The Japan national soccer team (FIFA ranking 18th), led by coach Hajime Moriyasu, defeated Iceland 1-0 in a friendly match held at Tokyo National Stadium at 7:25 p.m. on the 31st (Korea time), thanks to a decisive goal scored in the final moments of the second half.

With this victory, Japan achieved six consecutive A-match wins just before the World Cup, boosting team morale to its highest level. Starting with a 3-2 win over Brazil in October, Japan successively defeated Ghana (2-0), Bolivia (3-0), Scotland (1-0), and England (1-0), and now has also subdued Iceland, proving its formidable upward momentum.

In particular, during the pre-match ceremony held in front of domestic fans ahead of the tournament, Japan showed its strength and resilience by overcoming the opponent's extreme compact defensive tactics and eventually breaking through them.

Japan fielded its strongest starting lineup. The front attacking line featured Ayase Ueda (Feyenoord), Takefusa Kubo (Real Sociedad), and Junya Ito (KRC Genk). The midfield was built with Keito Nakamura (Stade de Reims), Ao Tanaka (Leeds United), Wataru Endo (Liverpool), and Ritsu Doan (Eintracht Frankfurt). The back four consisted of Ko Itakura (Ajax), Maya Yoshida (LA Galaxy), and Takehiro Tomiyasu (Ajax), while goalkeeper Saito Suzuki (Parma) guarded the goal.

Although Yoshida was excluded from the final World Cup roster, he started the match for his final farewell. In the 14th minute of the first half, he received a standing ovation from the fans filling the Tokyo National Stadium before being substituted off, and Hiroki Ito (Bayern Munich) came on.

Japan took control of the game from the middle of the first half and launched a relentless offensive. In the 36th minute of the first half, Kubo attempted a powerful left-footed shot from outside the box, but it was saved by the goalkeeper. Then, in the 38th minute, Nakamura connected with Kubo's cross with a header, but it also went straight at the goalkeeper. The first half ended 0-0.

Coach Moriyasu immediately substituted Ueda, Endo, Ito, and Doan with Goki Ogawa (NEC Nijmegen), Ayumu Seko (Le Havre), Yuto Nagatomo (FC Tokyo), and Yukina Sugawara (Werder Bremen) at the start of the second half.

Japan continued to create chances in the second half, centered on Sugawara's sharp crosses. In the 6th minute of the second half, Itakura's right-footed shot following Sugawara's cross was blocked by the goalkeeper, and in the 10th minute, Nagatomo's right-footed shot following another Sugawara cross failed to get past goalkeeper Valdimarsson.

In the 28th minute of the second half, Japan brought on Kento Shioda (VfL Wolfsburg), Gaisuke Goto (Sint-Truiden VV), and Tsuyoshi Watanabe (Feyenoord) to launch a final offensive push.

Japan's persistent attack finally broke down Iceland's ten-man defense. In the 41st minute of the second half, Sugawara penetrated from the flank and delivered a precise cross, which Ogawa, positioned in front of the goal, headed into the net, shaking Iceland's goal. The match ultimately ended with a 1-0 victory for Japan.

Japan is scheduled to face the Netherlands on June 15, Tunisia on the 21st, and Sweden on the 26th in the group stage of the North American World Cup.

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*This content was translated by AI.