Mexico and Japan clashed on Saturday night in route to a very tense 0-0 match with little offensive action. Mexico once again struggled against an Euro based Japan side that moved the ball well and overall were the better team although they also failed to create scoring opportunities. Mexico will now travel to Nashville to face off against South Korea, who dominated the United States earlier in the day in a 2-0 victory.
The 1st half started with Mexico coming out with what was mostly their starting
11 in the Gold Cup final, the exception being Orbelin Pineda taking the place of Gilberto Mora, who is training with the U20 team. After getting the ball in the area, Takefusa Kubo got off a left footed shot that went just wide. From outside the area, Kubo got off a great right footed shot that forced Mexico’s goalkeeper, Luis Malagon, to make a great save. After getting a longball into the area, Ritsu Doan would lob the ball over Malagon but Jesus Gallardo would get the ball off the line and clear it in a very good chance for Japan. Japan was dominating possession as Mexico could just defend and couldn’t maintain the ball or create any offense. After getting the ball in the area, Takumi Minamino would try to get past Jorge Sanchez but he would be able to steal the ball and clear the danger. Things got worse for Mexico when Edson Alvarez fell with an apparent muscle injury. He would be subbed out for Erik Lira. A right footed shot from Raul Jimenez was blocked by a Japanese defender. The halftime whistle blew and with few exciting moments and a clearly better Japan, the teams went to the dressing rooms.
The 2nd half started with neither team making a change during the halftime break. After Mexico lost a ball near their area, Kubo got off a shot that was deflected into the path of Ayase Ueda, but Malagon would make a great play to block his shot from close range and keep the ball. A cross into the area would find a wide open Minamino but he would send his volley well wide, missing a great chance. Mexico would counter with Roberto Alvarado getting off a shot from outside the area that went wide. Japan subbed out Ko Itakura for Hiroki Sekine. Mexico subbed out Alexis Vega, Raul Jimenez, Orbelin Pineda and Roberto Alvarado for Hirving Loznao, Santiago Gimenez, Erick Sanchez and German Berterame. Off a free kick, a cross into the area from Lozano would be headed by Lira which forced Japan’s goalkeeper, Zion Suzuki, to make a great save. Japan subbed out Takefusa Kubo, Daichi Kamada and Takumi Minamino for Daizen Maeda, Kaishu Sano and Junya Ito. A good counter ended with a dangerous cross from Sanchez getting cleared by a defender before it could get to Gimenez. Mexico subbed out Marcel Ruiz for Carlos Rodriguez. Japan subbed out Kaoru Mitoma and Ritsu Doan for Yuito Suzuki and Shuto Machino. Lozano would get the ball in the area but his right footed shot was blocked. After getting the ball in the area, Berterame got off a right footed shot that went just wide. After Mexico lost the ball, it allowed for a counter from Ueda but Cesar Montes would make a diving tackle to bring him down. After going to VAR, the ref decided Montes was the last ma and gave him a red card, leaving Mexico with 10. Even down Japan had one more player, there was too little time left and they never threatened as the match would end with a 0-0 tie.
Coach Javier Aguirre’s rugged defensive style was not eye pleasing to fans but was able to contain a Japan side that now looks to be the better team in most neutral fans’ eyes. Mexico struggled in the 1st half but improved in the 2nd half although never to be the better team on offense. Still after containing Japan, they were able to get some chances but they will need to improve with the performance being the worse since prior to the Gold Cup. Mexico struggled against Japan’s velocity on offense and their hustle. With Mexico not having as many players in Europe, they struggled with the press from Japan and not having time enough to start offensive plays. Key players like Alexis Vega and Roberto Alvarado looked extremely slowed especially compared to their performances in the Gold Cup. Since Mexico will play this type of superior rivals from here on out with their friendlies and not CONCACAF teams, they will have to get it together soon. Mexico will now travel to Nashville where they will face off against South Korea on Tuesday. South Korea might not be considered as good as Japan but they are close and they dominated the United States on Saturday on route to a 2-0 win. It will be another tough matchup but something Aguirre and the players need to face.
