Japan vs Costa Rica – Group Stage – Preview & Prediction | 2022 FIFA World Cup
THE FACTS
When is Japan vs Costa Rica on and what time does it start? Japan vs Costa Rica will take place on Sunday 27th November, 2022 – 10:00 (UK)
Where is Japan vs Costa Rica taking place? Japan vs Costa Rica will take place at Ahmad bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar
Where can I get tickets for Japan vs Costa Rica? Visit this link for the latest ticket information for Japan vs Costa Rica
What channel is Japan vs Costa Rica on in the UK? Japan vs Costa Rica will be televised live on ITV
Where can I stream Japan vs Costa Rica in the UK? Japan vs Costa Rica can be streamed live on the ITV Hub
THE LOWDOWN
JAPAN
- It was a remarkable way in which Japan kicked off their 2022 FIFA World Cup campaign. Hajime Moriyasu’s Blue Samurai came from behind to defeat four-time world champions Germany in Al Rayyan and they have blown Group E wide open. Victory against Costa Rica may not be enough to qualify just yet if the Germans defeat Spain later in the day, though.
- Japan made use of the five sub rule with a more defensively robust starting eleven, designed to hassle, hurry and simply run all day long before the introduction of an array of creative attackers to make the most of keeping it tight. Kaoru Mitoma and Ritsu Doan in particular will be hopeful of a starting spot against Costa Rica.
COSTA RICA
- Under the management of Luis Fernando Suarez, Costa Rica went on an impressive, albeit supported by circumstances, run to finish fourth in CONCACAF qualification. Their very unconvincing defeat of New Zealand in the intercontinental playoff marked them as one of the weakest sides heading to Qatar and they really did show that by being hammered 7-0 by Spain.
- Costa Rica became the first side at a World Cup to fail to have a shot in 90 minutes since Costa Rica in 1990. The Central Americans have a weak squad with limited resources so changes will be difficult to make. The reintroduction of their captain, Bryan Ruiz, is anticipated, though.
THE TEAM NEWS
JAPAN
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Gonda; Tomiyasu, Itakura, Yoshida, Nagatomo; Endo, Kamada; Ito, Doan, Mitoma; Asano
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE:
COSTA RICA
PREDICTED XI (3-4-3): Navas; Martinez, Duarte, Calvo; Fuller, Borges, Tejeda, Oviedo; Ruiz, Campbell, Bennette
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE:
THE KEY STATS
- Japan are aiming to start a World Cup group stage with two successive wins for the first time. Their best points total after two games is four (2002 and 2018)
- Japan are aiming to win two successive World Cup matches for only the second time. 2002 was the only previous occasion
- Japan have scored two goals in four of their last five World Cup matches
- Japan have only failed to score in one of their last six World Cup matches
- Against Germany, Yuto Nagatomo became the first Japanese player to make an appearance in four World Cups, he is their leading appearance-maker (12) and also their oldest player at 36 years and 72 days
- Costa Rica won their only previous World Cup match against AFC opposition when they beat China PR 2-0 in the group stage in 2002
- Costa Rica are without a win in their last seven World Cup matches (D4 L3). This is their longest run without a victory in their World Cup history
- Costa Rica have failed to score in four of their last five World Cup matches
- Against Spain, Jewison Bennette (18y 161d) became Costa Rica’s youngest ever player to make an appearance in the FIFA World Cup while Bryan Ruiz (37y 97d) became the oldest in the same game
THE PREDICTION
Prior to the tournament, Japan were tipped up by many to cause a couple of surprises with an abundance of exciting attacking talent. Well, they showed those capabilities late on against the Germans and now face, arguably, the worst side in the competition who come into this on the back of shipping seven. With the knockout stages beckoning, the Japanese should cruise to victory in this one.
TIP: JAPAN TO WIN WITH -1 HANDICAP
