Kangin, are you watching? 'Special talent' Gubo returns from injury 'in a minute' 1AS Crazy present
Last updated
Last updated
His soccer prodigy was extraordinary. Takefusa Kubo (Real Sociedad), his best friend Lee Kang-in (PSG), helped his team score its fourth goal just one minute after his return from injury, heralding his team's victory.
Gubo scored an attack point a minute after he was replaced in the 39th minute of the second half in the first Group D match of the 2023 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Cup at Altumama Stadium in Doha, Qatar, at 8:30 p.m. on the 14th (Korea time).
It was a spectacular return match. He poked a pass through Ueda at the gate in the 40th minute of the second half when Japan was leading 3-2. Ueda's shot deflected off the Vietnamese defense and went into the net. His simple and witty pass shone through.
Kubo injured his left thigh quadriceps during the match against Alaves before the Japanese national team was convened. He also failed to participate in the training even after entering Qatar. He also missed the final exhibition match against Jordan (6-1 win) ahead of the Asian Cup on Tuesday.
He also joined the team's training late. Kubo made his first appearance at the training site on the 11th, and checked his physical condition through pass training. "I don't know if he will participate in the group league yet," Kubo said in an interview with the Japanese soccer media "Football Zone" at the time. "My teammates jokingly asked me to rest until my injury is completely healed. I had many thoughts. In fact, I have no title to win after becoming a professional. My teammates told me to come after winning the championship," he said. He did not hide his ambition to participate in the game and win the title.
He is thus taking part earlier than expected. Coach Hajime Moriyasu of Japans national team seems to have deployed the team to check Kubos sense of play at a time when he was leading Vietnam. Contrary to expectations, he offered assistance to make Moriyasu laugh.
Japan started off smoothly by scoring the first goal on the day. However, it was tied four minutes later when it was hit by a back header from 19-year-old Vietnamese striker Nguyen Dinh Pak. She precisely shook the corner of the net on the left side. The goalkeeper made it at an angle beyond his control.
The Japanese team even gave up a come-from-behind goal. Palm Tuan Hai shook the Japanese net with a rebound shot. However, Japan, which is considered a favorite to win the title at this year's event, focused on European leagues. Minamino scored the equalizer in the 45th minute after receiving a forward pass from Endo, and Nakamura kicked a right-footed shot from the left side of the penalty box to score a 3-2 run during extra time in the first half.
After conceding two goals in an exhibition match with Turkey (4-2 win) in September last year, Japan conceded two goals in seven matches, but continued its momentum as a "candidate" by securing 11 consecutive A matches. Japan is aiming for its second consecutive win in the second group match against Iraq on the 19th.