Uruguay feel Samurai Blue

Tokyo, October 16

Japan made it three wins out of three under new coach Hajime Moriyasu with a thrilling 4-3 victory over Uruguay in a friendly in Saitama on Tuesday. Inspired by 24-year-old playmaker Shoya Nakajima and forward Takumi Minamino, who finished the night with a brace, Japan stunned Oscar Tabarez’s side, who are ranked fifth in the world.

Japan, ranked 54th, continued on from their 3-0 victory over Panama on Friday with a vibrant attacking display involving many of the younger players Moriyasu has brought in since taking over after the World Cup. Starting with Minamino, 23, Ritsu Doan, 20, and Nakajima as three attacking midfielders behind Yuya Osako, Japan played a brand of football that Uruguay struggled to cope with. Uruguay lacked fluidity throughout the first half, leaving striker Edinson Cavani isolated up front.

Sterling shines as England blow Spain away

Seville: Raheem Sterling scored twice as England delivered one of their finest victories of the modern era by beating Spain 3-2 in Seville.

Away from home, and against a Spanish side in scintillating form under their new coach Luis Enrique, this was certainly England’s best win under Gareth Southgate and, perhaps, their most impressive since thrashing Germany 

5-1 in Munich in 2001. Marcus Rashford was the other scorer in a breathless opening 45 minutes, which witnessed Spain conceding three on home soil for the first time in their history.

“To play the way they did, this should be a great reference point for this team for the future,” Southgate said. — AFP