[世青盃] 日本一球惜負摩洛哥遭淘汰
Last-minute hero shoots Morocco through (1:0)
(FIFA.com) 21 Jun 2005
Morocco are in the quarter-finals of the FIFA World Youth Championship
Netherlands 2005 courtesy of a dramatic Mouhssine Iajour goal in injury-
time. The Moroccans notched a 1-0 victory over Japan in their round of
16 clash in Enschede after a closely-contested game.
Morocco coach Jamal Fathi made just one change to the side that defeated
Chile 1-0: Adil Chihi came in as an additional striker, relegating Hicham
El Amrani to the bench. His Japanese counterpart Kiyoshi Okhuma also made
a solitary adjustment to his team after their 1-1 draw with Australia;
striker Takayuki Morimoto making way for defender cum striker Koki Mizuno.
Even before the first whistle, the hordes of Moroccan fans had turned the
Enschede stadium into a cauldron of noise, making the match a home fixture
for their team. Inspired by Nabil El Zhar, the North Africans seized the
early initiative; Japan countering their offensive style with short, sharp
passes and almost taking the lead after a quarter of an hour. Yohei Kajiyama
capitalised on a goalkeeping error by Moroccan custodian Mohammed Bourkadi,
only for the North African defence to clear.
With the Japanese growing in confidence, Robert Cullen won the ball in
midfield before seeing his 20-yard drive hit the woodwork (20). Morocco
seemed relatively undaunted by their unassuming opponents. However,
Cullen's bad luck in front of goal continued when a deflected effort hit
the bar (28).
Morocco weathered the storm and attempted to exert some pressure of their
own; their best opportunity coming before the break when Tarik Bendamou
saw his shot guided over the bar by Japanese keeper Shusaku Nishikawa after
attractive build-up play from Adil Chihi and Karim El Ahmadi (38).
Mizuno goes close as Japan rally
The Moroccans started strongly again after the break but it was Japan who
had the first sight of goal when Mizuno fired over the bar (48.). Morocco
also came close: Mouhssine Iajour sending a Bendamou cross just wide with
his head (53). Japan captain Tatsuya Masushima shot just wide on the hour-
mark with a fine effort on the turn. Six minutes later, Bendamou placed a
perfect cross on the head of Iajour, only for Nishikawa to deny the Moroccan
with an outstanding save.
As Morocco stepped up through the gears, Japan withdrew into their own half
and began to show lapses in concentration. They did remain dangerous on
their rare forays forward, however, substitute Shunsuke Maeda going close
with a free-kick (84). Morocco threatened three minutes later when a Iajour
shot sailed just wide (87). Sota Hirayama went close for Japan in the final
minute of normal time. However, with extra time looming, it was Iajour who
showed his class, converting a 92nd-minute opportunity to claim victory for
Morocco (1:0).
Morocco coach Jamal Fathi was delighted with the result: "That was a very
difficult game for us. Japan were very strong. There had to be a winner and
a loser, but I think we deserved the victory. It was a very even game in
the first half, although Japan hit the post and the bar. Rachid Tiberkanine
of Ajax Amsterdam made the difference for us in the second half."
Japanese coach Kiyoshi Okhuma remained optimistic despite the defeat: "In
contrast to the earlier games in the championship, today we showed what
Japanese football has to offer. Unfortunately, we could not get the right
result. Obviously I am very disappointed. The players gave their all, but
overall I am very pleased with my team."
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新聞網頁：
http://www.fifa.com/en/news/feature/0,1451,107971,00.html?articleid=107971
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