Japan drew 0-0 with Mexico on Saturday (Sunday morning in Japan), with neither side able to find a way through in a well-matched friendly game played at Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum in Oakland, California, United States.
The Samurai Blue started the brighter of the two sides and threatened from the outset, going close on a couple of occasions in the opening quarter of an hour.
The first of those opportunities came in the 11th minute when former Kawasaki Frontale winger Kaoru Mitoma dribbled inside and laid the ball off for Takefusa Kubo to shoot from 20 yards, but the ex-FC TOKYO man’s low drive was well saved by Mexico goalkeeper Luis Malagon.
In the 15th minute centre-back Tsuyoshi Watanabe, also previously of FC TOKYO, sent a glorious ball over the top to set Ritsu Doan free in behind, but while the Gamba Osaka youth product managed to loop an effort over Malagon, Mexico defender Jesus Gallardo managed to get back in time to prevent the ball from crossing the line.
Going in the other direction Mexico were only able to fashion a couple of half chances in the opening period, and rarely managed to threaten Zion Suzuki in the Japan goal.
Their best attempts all ended up off target or being blocked by players in Japan’s resilient rearguard - with the back three of Watanabe, ex-Kawasaki-F centre-back Ko Itakura, and Ayumu Seko, formerly of Cerezo Osaka, always alert and frequently anticipating passes to make key interceptions.
Japan also started the second half positively, and in the 48th minute Kubo picked out the run of Ayase Ueda, once of Kashima Antlers, in the penalty area, but his attempt from a tight angle was swiftly closed down by Malagon.
Former Sagan Tosu playmaker Daichi Kamada sparked another attack in the 53rd minute with a raking pass to Ueda, who in turn moved possession on to Doan. Doan then clipped the ball in behind for Kubo to chase, and while he managed to pick out ex-C-Osaka forward Takumi Minamino at the far post he couldn’t quite get enough control on his volley and it flew over the bar.
That was to be the closest Japan came, but they also stood firm at the back and kept Mexico at bay, with former Urawa Reds goalkeeper Suzuki repelling their best chance in the 68th minute when he palmed Erik Lira’s header from a Hirving Lozano free kick to safety
Japan have one more game remaining in the United States, when they take on the USA at Lower.com Field in Columbus, Ohio on Tuesday (Wednesday morning in Japan).
