Southampton: Yoshida’s Japan out of World Cup after 3-2 loss
By Marc Walker
Southampton defender Maya Yoshida and Japan were knocked out of the World Cup after cruel late drama saw them lose 3-2 to Belgium in the Round of 16.
A cagey first-half had seen the scores at 0-0, but two quickfire goals after the restart saw Japan and Southampton man Yoshida streak into a 2-0 lead.
However, Belgium’s firepower and class eventually told and they turned the game around with Nacer Chadli’s goal in the fourth minute of stoppage time.
Japan had been deserving of their lead, and Yoshida himself was doing a great job of keeping some of Belgium’s attacking talent out.
He made one tackle, two interceptions and a massive total of 14 clearances during the match. He also blocked two shots and completed 81.6% of his passes in a good all-round display.
Next: Could Gabbiadini thrive in inside-forward role?
More from Saints Marching
- Grading the Southampton Transfer Window Part 2: Arrivals
- Grading the Southampton Transfer Window Part 1: Departures
- It’s time to talk about Gavin Bazunu
- Rain clouds on the horizon? Southampton beat Plymouth Argyle
- A lament for Southampton legend James Ward-Prowse
Yoshida was the last Saints player left in Russia after Cedric and Jan Bednarek were knocked out previously. Dusan Tadic, who completed his move to Ajax last week, also left the competition in the Group Stage like Bednarek and Poland.
The representatives from St Mary’s were all heavily involved for their respective countries and Bednarek claimed the winner in a clash against Yoshida and Japan in their final group-stage match.
All three players will now have extended time away from pre-season to recover from a gruelling campaign and then join up with the rest of the squad at a later date.
Mark Hughes and his squad have just started their pre-season schedule in China and are looking ahead to playing two friendlies against Schalke 04 and Jiangsu Suning
After finishing second in Group H, Japan were put up against Belgium rather than England. England play Colombia in their Round of 16 game tomorrow evening.
After winning this evening’s game, Belgium now move onto a mouth-watering quarter-final match with Brazil after Neymar and co won their first knockout tie against Mexico by 2-0 this afternoon.