spain closed 2022 with a hard-fought victory against Japan (1-0), one of the rivals with whom it will be measured in the group stage of the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand which will be held next summer. The group that leads Jorge Vilda He suffered more than expected against a Japanese team that put Misa’s reflexes to the test. Interventions by the Real Madrid goalkeeper made Alba Redondo’s early riser count after nine minutes.
Vilda did without Blaugrana Salma Paralluelo from the starting eleven, who made a luxury debut against Argentina, with a hat-trick in thirteen minutes. It was one of the five changes decided by the Spanish coach, who also left Emith Salón, Oihane, María Méndez and Anna Torrodà on the bench to bring on Misa, Sheila, Rocío Gálvez, Zornoza and Athenea.
The rotation It worked for the first ten minutes, in which Spain took possession of the ball to search for Yamashita’s goal. Local dominance paid off when Alba Redondo ‘caught’ a rebound from the Japanese goalkeeper from a distance shot by Marta Cardona.
It seemed that the Spanish team was on track for another comfortable victory. Nothing is further from reality. Japan began to create many problems with balls into space behind the Spanish defence, especially Sheila who ended up being substituted at halftime.
Endo, Fujino and Mina Tanaka brought danger to Misa’s goal, who resolved a one-on-one with Mina Tanaka with a double save from close range and repelled a header at the far post from Hasegawa. Already in the final stretch, the Spanish goalkeeper reappeared to repel with her feet, Under sticks, a frank shot from Sugita.
Spain solved its defensive problems in the second half, but it was at the cost of practically giving up attack.
The Spanish team gave a step back in the face of push and pressure from Japanto the point that it did not bother Yamashita on any occasion.
Maria Perez debut
The second part only allowed the blaugrana María Pérez to make her senior debut in the final stretch. The subsidiary player entered the squad due to Maitane López’s injury.
Datasheet
Friendly
Spain 1-0 Japan
Lineups
Spain: Mass, Sheila (Oihane, 46′), Dew Galvz, Ivana, Olga Carmona, Cardona (Salma, 58′), Teresa (Fiamma, 72′), Zornoza, Athenea, Oroz (Maria Perez, 88′) and Round Dawn ( Now, 72′).
Japan: Yamashita, Shimizu, Miyake (Norimatsu, 46′), Kumagai, Minami, Endo (Sugita, 60′), Naomoto (Nagano, 60′), Hayashi, Hasegawa (Miyazawa, 73′), Fujino y Mina Tanaka (Ueki, 46 ‘).
goals
1-0 M.9 Alba Redondo shoots a rebound from Yamashita after a shot from outside the area by Marta Cardona.
Referee
Ionna Allayiotou (Cyprus). TA: Athenea (55′), Oroz (74′).
incidences
Friendly match between Spain and Japan played in La Cartuja before 1,400 spectators.
