KOKUBO JUST ONE OF JAPAN'S HEROES
Coach Oiwa credits support of everyone in Under-23 Asian Cup win
GO Oiwa said he had faith Leo Kokubo would save Umarali Rakhmonaliev’s injury time penalty before the Japan goalkeeper made the vital intervention that ensured his team reclaimed the Under-23 Asian Cup title with a 1-0 victory over Uzbekistan in the Doha 2024 final on Friday.
Kokubo threw himself to his right to keep out Rakhmonaliev’s strike after Hiroki Sekine had been judged to have handled the ball in the penalty area deep into added time with the Japanese leading through Fuki Yamada’s fine finish.
Yamada, introduced as a substitute in the 72nd minute with both teams struggling to find a way through to goal, stroked his shot into the bottom corner in the first minute of injury time and looked to have sealed the win for the Japanese.
But referee Mooud Bonyadifard pointed to the spot having reviewed the pitchside monitor to set up a dramatic finish, with
Kokubo mobbed by his teammates after breaking the hearts of the Uzbekistan players and fans.
“This success all comes from the support of everyone, not only the staff and the players but everyone, the fans also,” said Oiwa.
“This win was because of that support. And when the decision was made that it was a penalty, I had full trust that Kokubo would stop it.”
The win is Japan’s second in the tournament having also claimed the trophy in 2016 while it is Oiwa’s second at continental level as a coach after guiding J1 League side Kashima Antlers to the Asian Champions League title in 2018.
“To win a tournament in Asia is not easy, it’s tough,” said Oiwa, who also won the J1 League title four times with Kashima as a central defender and was the 2018 AFC Coach of the Year.
“As a player and as a coach I have had some success in my career, but a final is always a tough game. It’s beyond my imagination and my expectations but I’m always focused on the final match.
“For this success it was not only about me but it was about the staff, the players and the team. Everyone involved in this success, I’m proud of them. It’s not only about me, it’s the team’s strength that has brought this win.”
Japan’s victory came at the end of a clash in which neither side hit the heights achieved earlier in the tournament as nerves and fatigue played a role in limiting both teams, with Oiwa’s introduction of Yamada and others off the bench swinging the game his way.
“It was a tough game in the first half and in the second half we made some changes to the position of the our midfielders,” he said.
“But of course Uzbekistan adjusted to our changes so we made the substitutions after that.
“We were expecting a tough game today and as we expected Uzbekistan’s pressure was very high and it was difficult for us. Every player managed to control the game for 90 minutes and we’re proud of that.”