Olympic Games
Yamamoto’s close range finish came against the run of play for a Japan side that had goalkeeper Leo Kokubo to thank for keeping the African side at bay as the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ champions notched up a second victory four days after defeating Paraguay.
The win, secured when Doumbia pulled his spot-kick wide of Kokubo’s goal six minutes into injury time, means Japan’s six-point haul will be enough to take Oiwa’s team into the next round of the competition as they chase the country’s first Olympic medal since 1968.
Kokubo was first called on in the 11th minute to make a reaction save, the Benfica goalkeeper using his feet to keep out an attempt to score low to his right by Thiemoko Diarra after the Mali winger had used his pace to find a way beyond Hiroki Sekine.
From the resulting corner, Nishio headed Mahamadou Tounkara’s effort clear after the defender emerged unmarked to nod Salam Jiddou’s delivery towards goal.
The Japanese dominated possession but struggled to create clear-cut opportunities against a well-disciplined Mali defence, with Koki Saito’s deflected effort from distance thumped clear by Fode Doucoure after goalkeeper Lassine Diarra had slipped.
Kokubo was on hand again in the dying moments of the half to keep the African side out, reacting quickly to tip Ahmed Diomande’s powerfully struck shot from more than 25 yards over the bar.
Japan’s goalkeeper kept his best until the 64th minute when he again frustrated Diarra, the winger stepping inside Ryuya Nishio before hitting a low left foot shot towards the far bottom corner, only for Kokubo to palm the ball away from goal.
Kokubo was finally beaten seven minutes later but Mali were denied by the post when Doumbia headed Diomande’s free-kick from deep narrowly wide via the outside of the woodwork as the Asian champions clung on.
The Japanese almost stole in the lead with 14 minutes remaining when substitute Shunsuke Mito fumbled the ball wide after Mao Hosoya’s centre.
Six minutes later, the Malian defence was breached as Hosoya powered into the penalty area to send over a low ball that Kein Sato struck, forcing Diarra into a save. However, Yamamoto pounced on the rebound to give Japan a barely deserved lead.
Mali looked set to level deep into injury time when Sota Kawasaki was judged to have handled in the penalty area but Doumbia’s miss from the spot took the Japanese through.
Photos: AFP
