The three driving forces of the East Asian Football Federation (EAFF) have entered a new cycle towards the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia. Japan, Korea Republic and China all played friendly matches during the international week in September.

First, China welcomed Kuwait on the 4th September and took the initiative from an early stage. They made several chances with a 3-4-3 formation and left winger Wu Lei hit the left upright, raising local supporters’ expectations. On 36 minutes, a spot-kick was awarded to the home side after left midfielder Yu Hai was fouled in the penalty area.


But Kuwait avoided falling behind as their goalkeeper superbly stopped Yu Hai and, conversely, took the lead from a corner just before halftime.

However, China regained control of the game and they were level in the 53rd minute. Yang Xu received a pass in the penalty area. Holding his marker, the centre forward drilled his right-foot shot into the net.

Four minutes past the hour, the EAFF member managed to turn the game around. After Kuwait’s goalkeeper failed to punch away a cross, substitute Yu Hanchao found the net with a terrific right-foot volley.

Spurred on by the local crowd, China maintained momentum and Wu Lei clinically scored a late goal in a one-on-one situation. This goal secured the second victory for French coach Alain Perrin, in charge since this February.

Aguirre’s Japan failed to make a winning start
On 5th September, Japan and Korea Republic faced strong teams from South America.

New Mexican coach Javier Aguirre’s Japan took on Uruguay at Sapporo Dome. While some regular members under the former coach, such as goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima, centre-back Maya Yoshida, left-back Yuto Nagatomo and forwards Keisuke Honda and Shinji Okazaki remained in the starting lineup, defender Tatsuya Sakai and forward Yusuke Minagawa, who play for J1 League sides Sagan Tosu and Sanfrecce Hiroshima, respectively, started to make their international debut.

Uruguay broke the deadlock on 34 minutes after capitalising on Japan’s defensive mix-up. A goal behind at half time, Aguirre introduced forward Yoshinori Muto (FC Tokyo) and midfielder Ryota Morioka (Vissel Kobe), who had received their first international call-up, and changed the system to 4-4-2. The home side made several half chances, but again conceded a goal due to another mistake 20 minutes before the end to lose 0-2.

After the match, Aguirre pointed out that both of Uruguay’s goals came after his team’s errors, saying: “You shouldn’t give gift goals to your opponents.” But he seemed satisfied with the game and added: “Our players kept on fighting without being disappointed by the conceded goals.”

A veteran striker helped Korea Republic earn a stylish comeback win against Venezuela
Not having appointed a successor to Hong Myung-Bo after he resigned as national team’s coach following the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil, Korea Republic put ex-international midfielder and former K League coach Shin Tae-Yong in charge for the friendly against Venezuela on a temporary basis.

Eventually, Korea Republic gave the home crowd a stylish comeback victory. They fell behind on 21 minutes as Venezuela pounced on a short punt from goalkeeper Kim Jin-Hyeon. But 12 minutes later, the EAFF member were level with the first international goal by midfielder Lee Myong-Joo.

The second half featured a one-man show by a veteran striker; Forward Lee Dong-Gook, who received his first international call-up for Korea Republic in 15 months, headed a corner on target eight minutes after the break and then, ten minutes later, capitalised on Venezuela’s defensive lapse to mark his team’s third goal of the game. The 35-year-old led the team to victory with two goals on his 50th senior international appearance. This must be a good news also for Ulrich Stielike, who has just been appointed as Korea Republic’s new coach.

China, Japan and Korea Republic will all participate in the AFC Asian Cup 2015 to be held next January. Looking ahead to the first international tournament for new regimes, the three East Asian giants are going to hone their football further.