TOKYO: Crystal Palace’s Daichi Kamada was on target as World Cup-bound Japan cruised past Bolivia 3-0 in a friendly in Tokyo on Tuesday to end the year on a high.
Kamada, who has yet to score for his club this season, struck with a sweet left-foot finish in the fifth minute at Japan’s National Stadium.
Substitute Shuto Machino added another midway through the second half before fellow replacement Keito Nakamura made it three.
It gave Japan their third straight friendly win, including a first victory over Brazil, as they look to build momentum ahead of next year’s World Cup.
Bolivia also have a chance to qualify for the tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
They will compete in an intercontinental playoff in March after finishing seventh in South American qualifying.
Japan coach Hajjime Moriyasu, taking charge for the 100th time, made seven changes to the team that beat Ghana 2-0 in a friendly on Friday.
Striker Koki Ogawa, handed a rare start ahead of regular center forward Ayase Ueda, fluffed a golden chance in the second minute with only the goalkeeper to beat.
Kamada gave his team-mate a lesson in finishing three minutes later, taking the ball down on his chest before firing a shot inside the far post for Japan’s opener.
Bolivia goalkeeper Guillermo Viscarra denied Ogawa again when he tipped the striker’s header against the crossbar, before Takumi Minamino went close with the follow-up.
Fernando Nava almost scored with Bolivia’s first attack of the game on the half-hour mark when he caught Japan napping in defense.
Machino put Japan two ahead just minutes after coming off the bench, turning home Nakamura’s cross from close range.
Nakamura added another after making space for a shot with some deft footwork inside the Bolivia box.
Kamada helps Japan ease past Bolivia in friendly
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Kamada helps Japan ease past Bolivia in friendly
- Kamada struck with a sweet left-foot finish in the fifth minute at Japan’s National Stadium
- Substitute Shuto Machino added another midway through the second half
Learning every day: Kuwait players reflect on DP World ILT20 season 4
- ‘To play alongside players like Kieron Pollard, Nicholas Pooran and Jonny Bairstow is a very big moment for me,’ says Mohammed Shafeeq of MI Emirates
DUBAI: Season four of the DP World ILT20 marked a significant step in the league’s regional development efforts, with players from Kuwait and Saudi Arabia earning selection at the first ever auction and featuring across all six franchises.
Each team acquired at least one player from the two countries, offering emerging cricketers the opportunity to train and compete alongside some of the world’s leading players.
The DP World ILT20 season four ended on Jan. 4, with the Desert Vipers overcoming the MI Emirates to secure their first title.
Speaking over the course of the tournament, the Kuwait players reflected on their experiences and the opportunity to work alongside established international cricketers.
Captain of the Kuwait cricket team, Mohamed Aslam, said: “It’s a great opportunity for me to represent Sharjah Warriorz in the DP World ILT20, and we are getting a lot of experience in the dressing room.
He said he was sharing the dressing room with “leaders like Tim Southee and Sikandar Raza. I have gotten a lot of information from them and learned many things by asking questions.
“As an associate cricket player, this is a very good opportunity. I hope to apply all of this in Kuwait and do our best.”
Mohammed Shafeeq became the first player from Kuwait or Saudi Arabia to feature in a DP World ILT20 fixture when he played for the MI Emirates against the Dubai Capitals.
“The support from the coaching staff has been amazing because this is a completely different feeling for us. It will help us in the future, as the coaches are always watching us and giving technical inputs.”
“It is a very big moment for me to be part of this team and to play alongside players like Kieron Pollard, Nicholas Pooran and Jonny Bairstow,” he added.
“All of them are top players and operate at different levels. They consider us for every match, and that means a lot to me.”
The Dubai Capitals’ Anudeep Chenthamara said: “I would like to thank the Kuwait Cricket Board and DP World ILT20 for giving me this opportunity, it is a big one for me and the whole team.
“There has been a lot of experience and learning over here. We have worked with experienced players and coaches; I have been able to work on many things from the basics to the higher level. For example, I have changed the base of my run-up.”
Echoing these sentiments, the Gulf Giants’ Meet Bhavsar, who has played 73 T20Is for Kuwait, said: “It’s been a great experience to share the dressing room with the superstars of modern-day cricket.
“Facing somebody like Tabraiz Shamsi in the nets has been really challenging and helped me immensely. I will try to share as much as I can with the rest of the Kuwait team, and I am grateful for the chance to be here.”
Representing the Desert Vipers, Bilal Tahir said: “We are learning a lot every day. We have very good coaches, a great environment, and the style of teaching really helps us improve.
“Playing with these stars is a dream for us because they are legends, and we learn so much from them. Just the other day in the nets, Fakhar Zaman told me how to improve certain things. I am very thankful to the Desert Vipers for giving us this opportunity.”
Adnan Idrees, whose services were secured by the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, added: “It’s a great experience and I’m really enjoying my time here.
“Learning from legends is always a blessing, and sharing the dressing room with players like Andre Russell, Jason Holder, Phil Salt and Liam Livingstone makes me feel my game will improve a lot.
“I keep getting tips from them about staying focused on my game, and I’ve learned a lot already. They are gems as people and as cricketers, and it’s a joy to share the dressing room with them.
“I feel blessed to be part of the DP World ILT20 and hope more players get the chance to come here.”
