Takumi Minamino has two assists as Japan cruise against Myanmar
In strong form since June, Japan continues to impress the football world. It is now a run of six victories in a row since the players began their qualifying campaign for the 2026 World Cup in America. Facing Myanmar (formerly Burma), 158th in the FIFA rankings, the teammates of Takumi Minamino did not approach the match lightly, disposing of the Lions more than easily (5-0)
Taki plays the provider
Starting as a number 10 in the 4-2-3-1 set up by coach Hajime Moriyasu, our Monegasque midfielder once again stood out. Having played well in the team’s big win over Canada (4-1), this time he turned provider, delivering a fine ball for the former Cercle Bruges striker Ayase Ueda, with a subtle lob that took out the entire defense.
🏆FIFA #ワールドカップ 26アジア2次予選 兼 AFCアジアカップサウジアラビア2027予選
🇯🇵 #SAMURAIBLUE vs ミャンマー代表🇲🇲前半11分、#上田綺世 が #南野拓実 のパスにヘディングで合わせて先制✨
🗓️11.16(木) ⌚️19:00(🇯🇵)
📺#テレビ朝日 系列地上波にて生中継
📱#ABEMA(https://t.co/CXFAikAUEY)… pic.twitter.com/oAIpUEtLaJ— サッカー日本代表 🇯🇵 (@jfa_samuraiblue) November 16, 2023
His tenth assist on international duty
Leading 3-0 at the break, the Japanese didn’t want to stop there and in the second half the native of Izumisano had a second assist, his tenth for his country, for his team’s fourth goal. With a finely played ball, he managed to once again find Ayase Ueda, who sprung the offside trap. The current Feyenoord player did not hesitate, sealing his hat-trick in the 50th minute of the match.
🏆FIFA #ワールドカップ 26アジア2次予選 兼 AFCアジアカップサウジアラビア2027予選
🇯🇵 #SAMURAIBLUE vs ミャンマー代表🇲🇲後半5分、#上田綺世 がハットトリックとなるゴールを決める👏
🗓️11.16(木) ⌚️19:00(🇯🇵)
📺#テレビ朝日 系列地上波にて生中継
📱#ABEMA(https://t.co/CXFAikAUEY)… pic.twitter.com/Zmlcm2z6Tg— サッカー日本代表 🇯🇵 (@jfa_samuraiblue) November 16, 2023
An ideal start to these qualifiers
5-0 winners, this is, however, not the first time that Japan has inflicted such a heavy score agaisnt Myanmar, since they had been the ones who inflicted the heaviest defeat in the history of this country, with a 10-0 result in May 2021 — a match during which Takumi Mimanimo also scored a double.
More than the score, it is a first important victory in qualification, before they face Syria next Tuesday. It’s an additional opportunity for our number 18 to show off, who in addition to his two assists, made 57 touches, completed 81% of his passes and had his shot on target this Thursday. Bravo Taki! 🇯🇵
