Japan's Shunsuke Mito scores a goal in the first half against Paraguay in an Olympic men's soccer match on July 24 in Bordeaux, France. (©SANKEI)
Japan started its 2024 Olympic men's soccer tournament off with a bang on Wednesday, July 24, scoring four second-half goals in a 5-0 rout of Paraguay in their Group D match in Bordeaux, France.
Braces from Shunsuke Mito and Shota Fujio powered Japan to the victory, with Rihito Yamamoto also scoring in the win. Mito found the back of the net in the 18th and 63rd minutes. Fujio tallied in the 81st and 87th. Yamamoto's goal came in the 69th minute.
Japan goalkeeper Leobrian Kokubo posted a clean sheet, with the South Americans managing just two shots on target in the defeat at the Paris Olympics.
After leading 1-0 at halftime, Japan played the last 65 minutes of the contest with a man advantage after Paraguay midfielder Wilder Viera was given a straight red card for a rough tackle on forward Yu Hirakawa.
"It's great to have gotten the job done in the opener," Mito, a 21-year-old midfielder, was quoted as saying by Kyodo News. "I had too much time and was left unmarked (for the first goal), but I'm relieved to have scored."
Mito added, "I had eye contact with [forward Koki] Saito for my headed goal. His cross was perfect and I just had to put it in the net."
Japan, the Asian Under-23 champion, will play its next match against Mali on Saturday, July 27 in Bordeaux.
Rugby Sevens
Japan Routed in Pair of Openers
Japan's men went down to defeat in both of their rugby sevens clashes on Wednesday, falling 40-12 to New Zealand in their first match and 40-5 to Ireland in the second at the Stade de France.
Akuila Rokolisoa scored a try for the Kiwis in the first 30 seconds and they led 26-7 at halftime. Rokolisoa scored 18 points in the victory.
Terry Kennedy scored the first try for Ireland, which was up 14-0 at the break in Saint-Denis, France.
Shotaro Tsuoka scored tries for Japan in both losses.
"I have to show myself with more action. It's not about playing well, it's muddy and fighting bravely," Japan captain Kippei Ishida said after the losses, according to Nikkan Sports. "Even if you fall down, you can wake up immediately, and no matter how much the tackle is removed, I think that's the place."
With victories in both of their matches on Wednesday, New Zealand and Ireland advanced to the quarterfinals of the tournament.
Japan faces South Africa in a Pool A match on Thursday, seeking to bounce back from its back-to-back defeats on the previous day.
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Author: Jack Gallagher
The author is a veteran sports journalist and one of the world's foremost figure skating experts. Find articles and podcasts by Jack on his author page, and find him on X (formerly Twitter) @sportsjapan.
