Match Report
Japan went into the game 27th in the table on 5 points; New Zealand sat 50th on 0 — a 5-point gap. New Zealand ranked just 183rd in the league on five-round form despite their 50th table position. In league terms the two rates read 1.6/2 for Japan and 0/2 for New Zealand (scored/conceded per game); the competition average is 2.26.
Defeat had not touched Japan in 8 games, having scored in 8 consecutive games. Defeat had followed defeat for New Zealand — five in succession. The five-game form split read 11/15 points for Japan against 0/15 for New Zealand.
On the scoreboard, it was 0-0 at the break; 3 second-half goals set the final 2-1.
Goal scorers
Japan: Yuya Osako (50'), Shu Kurata (88') · New Zealand: C. Wood (59')
Key stats
On target: 2-1 · Corners: 10-3