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• 10 / 07 / 2008

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Japan started aggressively and almost took the lead as early as the eighth second when Yusuke Inada forced a good save from Wilfredo Carbo.

The veteran keeper, the oldest player in the competition, also denied Inada two minutes later as well as Rikarudo Higa and Yusuke Komiyama inside the opening 15 minutes.

Despite Japan's domination, it was Cuba who took the lead against the run of play in the 16th minute; Yampier Rodriguez with an inch-perfect lob over the goalkeeper. The goal rocked Japan who was fortunate not to concede another one when Boris Saname's shot rattled the post shortly before half-time.

Carbo again frustrated his opponents with some fine goalkeeping, but was powerless to stop Nobuya Osodo's shot in the 24th minute which crept between his legs. Two minutes later, Japan was in front through Kotaro Inaba and the Japan No11 played a key role in Japan's final two goals.

First Inaba's thunderous effort was spilled by Carbo into the path of Yuki Kanayama, who made it 3-1 and then he turned goalscorer with six minutes remaining when Inada provided the assist.

This was Cuba´s second loss (5-10 against Russia) and even if it achieves the unthinkable, beating Brazil, it wont have any mathematical chance of passing to the next round, since only 2 teams per group can qualify.

(Mathaba.net)