Wataru Endo had a busy afternoon for Japan of their second group recreation on the Asian Cup, however his late objective was not sufficient to cease his facet from succumbing to a 2-1 defeat.
The midfielder is at present main his nation on the event whereas his membership team-mates put together to journey to Bournemouth on Sunday.
After kickstarting their marketing campaign with a win over Vietnam earlier within the week, Endo’s Japan adopted up that end result with a disappointing 2-1 defeat to Iraq on Friday.
Liverpool’s No. 3 performed the complete 90 minutes for the second successive match and helped his facet dominate the ball with essentially the most touches of any participant (100) and passes into the ultimate third (14), as per FotMob.
Extra notably, the Japan captain gave his facet late hope after heading the ball into the again of the web in third minute of stoppage time, expertly discovering house from a nook on the again put up.
It was his third objective for his nation and the primary since 2021.
Little late for the Samurai’s. However who else aside from CAPTAIN WATARU ENDO, HE DOES IT ALL. ???
— Laith (@LFC_MOA) January 19, 2024
It was a late reward for Japan’s efforts after they dominated possession (72 %) and photographs on objective (15 to Iraq’s eight) – nevertheless it was not sufficient to rescue any factors after conceding twice within the first half.
Ayman Hussein scored within the fifth minute and once more in stoppage time on the finish of the primary half for Iraq, serving to to make sure his facet stay unbeaten after two video games.
Endo made a recreation excessive 12 recoveries all through the match and acquired the second-highest ranking from FotMob, ending the sport with a rating of seven.8 out of 10.
Ex-Pink Takumi Minamino additionally performed the complete 90 minutes however was unable so as to add to his objectives from the opening recreation – one in every of which Endo provided the help for.
The end result leaves Japan on three factors with one group recreation remaining in opposition to Indonesia (Jan 24), however with the highest two in every group plus the 4 finest third-placed sides progressing, they may stay assured of collaborating within the knockouts.
