Stadium: Ahmed bin Ali (Al Rayyan)
27.11.2022, 13:00
Former Arsenal, Manchester City, Real Madrid, Tottenham, and Togo striker Emmanuel Adebayor previews and gives his official betting tips and match predictions for the game between JAPAN and COSTA in the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar Group E on 27th November 2022. Can Japan seal shock qualification to the knockout stages from this Group of Death?! Find out what Emmanuel Adebayor has to say!
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Experienced Japan has made it to the finals of almost all world championships. The Samurai qualified in 2022 without much trouble, ending up second in their group behind Saudi Arabia. The latter, by the way, had already made themselves known in Qatar after beating Argentina 2:1. Japan also decided to keep up with their neighbor in the Asian zone, and their opponent for their first match in the World Cup is indeed worthy.
In the opening game, Hajime Moriyasu's charges faced the Germans, who are still a contender for the title despite undergoing a generational change. From the very first minutes, the Germans seized the initiative. In the 33rd minute, the Japanese goalkeeper Shuichi Gonda fouled in his penalty area - 0:1. After that, Japan could concede more than once, but after the break, they scored twice and earned a sensational victory - 2:1.
Japan beat Hansi Flick's Germany 2:1 in the opening game of the World Cup. Germany controlled the ball in the first half, but Moriyasu's clever substitutions helped his team turn the game around and beat the four times World Champion. After beating Germany, they will have a great chance of qualifying.
Costa Rica
Costa Rica experienced their finest hour eight years ago. Then the Red and Blues were in a formidable group with the English, Uruguayans, and Italians. And they still took first place, making it to the playoffs. Moreover, in the last 16, the Costa Ricans also beat the Greeks. They held on in the quarterfinals until a penalty shootout with the Netherlands, but they still failed. There is no doubt that the wards of Luis Suarez would like to do something similar at the World Cup, but the chances are very slim.
Costa Rica is again in the same quartet as the most seasoned European soccer teams - the Spaniards, Germans, and the unyielding Japanese. In the opening game, the Red and Blues tried to cope with the formidable Red Fury but failed to produce any result. By halftime, they were already 0:3 down, conceding on 11, 21, and 31 minutes. After the break, they conceded four more. As a result, old Keylor Navas missed seven unanswered goals.
Costa Rica has been torn to pieces in the World Cup opening game. They were humiliatingly defeated at 7:0 by Luis Enrique's side. If they wish to reclaim their dignity, they must show it against Japan.
Expert Betting Tips
Japan has created one of the most significant sensations at the World Cup, beating the Germans 2:1 in the opening round. Meanwhile, the Costa Rican team suffered their biggest defeat to the Spaniards - 0:7. It would seem that the favorites should quickly get three points, but it is more complex. The Samurai in 2018 also started with a victory over the group's favorite, but then they went down as opponents began to act more pragmatically. Luis Suarez's men will have to work on their mistakes.
Do not expect the match to be packed with goals. Yes, both teams reached the TO at the tournament, but the Japanese played great on the counterattack against the Germans. Now they will not have so much space, and the Costa Ricans will not have the Spaniards scoring everything in the world on the field. The match should be dense and cautious.
Japan is the favorite in this game. The victory against Germany will boost their confidence. They have a great team to win this encounter.
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