Watch Japan U23 vs Paraguay U23 full match replay and highlight. This is a match of FIFA Olympic Football 2024, Group D Matchday 1.
Kick off: 17:00 GMT Wednesday Jul 24, 2024.
Referee: François Letexier, France.
Venue: Stade Matmut-Atlantique, Bordeaux.
Japan Thrashes Paraguay 5-0 in Olympic Opener
Japan made a sensational start to their Olympic football campaign, dominating Paraguay with a resounding 5-0 victory in Bordeaux. This impressive result extends the Samurai Blue’s excellent group-stage record at the Olympics, now showing only one defeat in their last ten matches (W7, D2).
First Half: Fast Start and Early Advantage
Competing in their record-breaking eighth consecutive Olympic Games, Japan began the match aggressively and their efforts paid off early. In the 19th minute, Ayumu Ohata set up Shunsuke Mito, who skillfully maneuvered and struck a low shot past Paraguayan goalkeeper Gatito Fernández, giving Japan an early lead.
Paraguay’s situation worsened just six minutes later when Wilder Viera received a straight red card for a reckless challenge on Yu Hirakawa. With a one-man advantage, Japan controlled possession but struggled to convert their dominance into clear opportunities, with Sekine Hiroki missing their best chance before halftime by shooting over the bar.
Second Half: Japan’s Offensive Surge
Despite a spirited effort from Paraguay at the start of the second half, with Ronaldo de Jesús and Marcelo Fernández missing opportunities to equalize, Japan’s quality shone through. Shunsuke Mito scored his second goal of the match after the hour mark, heading in from a Koki Saito assist, which showcased exquisite skill.
This goal crushed Paraguay’s hopes of a comeback, and Japan quickly added a third. Rihito Yamamoto found the bottom corner with a precise shot from the edge of the box. In the final ten minutes, substitute Shota Fujio made his mark with two goals. He first converted a clinical header from a Ryotaro Araki free-kick and then finished a swift counter-attack to seal Japan’s triumph.
Match Highlights:
- 19th Minute: Shunsuke Mito scores from an Ayumu Ohata assist.
- 25th Minute: Wilder Viera of Paraguay receives a red card.
- 61st Minute: Mito heads in his second goal from a Koki Saito skillful setup.
- 67th Minute: Rihito Yamamoto scores from the edge of the box.
- 80th & 88th Minutes: Shota Fujio scores two goals, a header from a free-kick and a composed finish on the break.
Looking Forward
Japan’s dominant performance in this opening match sets a high standard for their Olympic campaign. They will look to maintain their momentum in their next group-stage match. Meanwhile, Paraguay must regroup and strategize for a comeback in their remaining fixtures to stay in contention.