Striker Ayase Ueda had opened the scoring in the 28th minute, lashing home from close range, after a cross fell kindly. But the All Whites grabbed a brilliant equaliser just three minutes later, with an exquisite finish from Ben Old, after he was played in by Chris Wood.
The All Whites celebrate Ben Old’s goal against Japan.
Photo/Photosport.
It was the kind of match that this New Zealand team will remember for a long time – and learn a lot from- knowing what it takes to survive at this level. Japan are in a golden period, having claimed some big scalps over the last 12 months, including Brazil and England.
The world No 17 were a class above, their movement and pace a dizzying blue blur for long periods. And they are also highly effective without the ball, constantly squeezing the space and punishing any loose touch.
But the All Whites (ranked 86th by Fifa) competed well, even if most of the match was spent in their own half. Goalkeeper Alex Paulsen looked sharp – again – and made some vital saves, a reminder of what he could have offered in North America in June.
Old caught the eye, while Wood was well contained but led the line strongly. Veteran defender Michael Boxall stood tall, among an impressive rearguard action, while Marko Stamenic and Alex Rufer worked tirelessly.
Coach Darren Bazeley made a significant change for the match, switching to a back three, which became a five for most of the game. George Stanger joined Boxall and Tyler Bindon in the central defensive duo. Dane Ingham started as the right wing back, with Lachlan Bayliss used ahead of him.
The tone was set in the second minute, when Doan unleashed a shot from distance, tipped over the bar by Paulsen. The Japanese skipper was a constant threat with three chances in just the first 10 minutes, the third forcing another save from Paulsen.
The New Zealand goalkeeper was busy – as expected – as the visitors struggled for respite. They were defending grimly but couldn’t hold possession, leading to waves of pressure, as Ipswich Town forward Daizen Maeda sent a shot wide. But the All Whites had moments, with a smart move between Wood, Elijah Just Ingham and Bayliss ending with a blocked shot from the striker.
Japan deservedly went ahead just before the half hour mark, with Ueda blasting home from six yards. Moments earlier Paulsen had been forced into a reflex save as Boxall deflected a cross towards goal but the ball was recycled back in, bouncing off Ingham into Ueda’s path.
But their advantage was short lived, as the Oceania team stunned the massive crowd with a brilliant reply. It was made by Wood – who carried the ball strongly out of his own half, before a perfectly timed pass for Old, who didn’t have to break stride as he finished unerringly with a right foot shot from just inside the penalty area. Just had cleverly distracted defenders with a decoy run.
Chris Wood had few chances but led the line well against Japan.
Photo/Photosport.
The second half was a bigger test, as the All Whites tired. Ueda was unlucky early, heading against the cross bar after a spring heeled leap. New Zealand kept them at bay for a period, while one of their few breakouts saw Bayliss stretching for a cross, after Wood had sent Just away down the left.
But there were tough times at the other end, epitomised when Boxall stopped a goal bound shot with a desperate lunge from close range, before Paulsen tipped the follow up effort from Satoshi Tanaka over the bar.
A second Japanese goal seemed inevitable though and came just after both coaches had made their first three substitutes. Replacement Keito Nakamura burnt down the left – leaving two defenders in his wake, before his low cross was touched in at the far post by Doan, who had slipped away from Old.
The home side were close again moments later, with Ueda finishing well but fractionally offside, after a lovely ball from Nakamura, whose impact was profound. New Zealand switched to a back four and pushed further forward, with some handy set piece opportunities, from long throws and a couple of free kicks, without really troubling the Japanese defence.
Overall it was a satisfactory way to end a long tour – without some key front line players – and the kind of match that can be a reference point for the level required in the top echelon of the international game.
Japan 2 (Ayase Ueda 28’, Ritsu Doan 71’)
All Whites 1 (Ben Old 31’)
Halftime 1-1