On Thursday 23 March, SAMURAI BLUE (Japan National Team) took on United Arab Emirates (UAE) at their group B’s sixth match of the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Asian Final Qualifiers held in Al Ain, UAE. As one goal each by forward KUBO Yuya (KAA Gent / Belgium) and midfielder KONNO Yasuyuki (Gamba Osaka) helped Japan defeat UAE 2-0, Japan piled up points up to 13 now with four wins, one loss and one draw.

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Since group leaders Saudi Arabia also recorded a 3-0 victory over Thailand, Japan are currently at the second place, only trailing the leaders by goal difference. Third-placed Australia who drew to Iraq 1-1 are with 10 points, three behind Japan. UAE sit at fourth with nine points followed by Iraq with four and Thailand with one.

While missing the captain and defensive midfielder HASEBE Makoto (Eintracht Frankfurt / Germany), Japan’s boss Vahid HALILHODZIC turned to Konno. As he was assigned with an offensive midfielder role alongside KAGAWA Shinji (Borussia Dortmund / Germany), midfielder YAMAGUCHI Hotaru was given the anchor position. Kubo and HARAGUCHI Genki (Hertha BSC Berlin/Germany) took the right and left forward spot respectively, supporting the lone striker OSAKO Yuya (1.FC Koeln/Germany).....

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