Match report

Japan Defeats North Korea 1-0 in World Cup Qualification Asia

Japan
Japan
1–0
FT
North Korea
North Korea
Mar 21, 2024

Japan clinched a narrow but vital 1-0 win over North Korea in their World Cup Qualification Asia match, thanks to a goal from A. Tanaka in the 2nd minute. Despite North Korea's valiant efforts, Japan's defense held strong to secure the points.

Key Facts

  • • Final score: Japan 1-0 North Korea
  • • Goal: A. Tanaka (Japan) 2nd minute
  • • Assist: R. Doan (Japan)
  • • Yellow Cards: Kuk Chol Jang (North Korea), H. Ito (Japan), Il-song Ri (North Korea), Kuk Chol Kang (North Korea)

Lineups

Japan

Formation: 4-4-2

Starting XI

  • 23 Z. Suzuki (G)
  • 2 Y. Sugawara (D)
  • 4 K. Itakura (D)
  • 15 K. Machida (D)
  • 21 H. Ito (D)
  • 10 R. Doan (M)
  • 17 A. Tanaka (M)
  • 5 H. Morita (M)
  • 8 T. Minamino (M)
  • 11 D. Maeda (F)
  • 9 A. Ueda (F)

Substitutes

  • 1 D. Maekawa
  • 12 K. Osako
  • 3 S. Taniguchi
  • 14 D. Hashioka
  • 16 T. Watanabe
  • 22 Y. Nagatomo
  • 6 W. Endo
  • 7 T. Kawamura
  • 13 K. Nakamura
  • 18 T. Asano
  • 19 K. Ogawa
  • 20 T. Kubo

North Korea

Formation: 4-4-2

Starting XI

  • 1 Kang Ju-Hyok (G)
  • 2 Kim Kyong-Sok (D)
  • 3 Jang Kuk-Chol
  • 16 Kim Yu-Song
  • 4 P. Kim (D)
  • 20 Paek Chung-Song
  • 22 Kim Kuk-Bom
  • 15 Ri Un-Chol
  • 12 Choe Ju-Song
  • 11 Jong Il-Gwan
  • 10 K. Han

Substitutes

  • 18 T. Sin
  • 21 Yu Kwang-Jun
  • 5 Jong Kum-Song
  • 19 Kim Sung-Hye
  • 23 Choe Jin-Nam
  • 6 Kye Tam
  • 7 Mun In-Ju
  • 13 Ri Il-song
  • 14 Choe Ok-Chol
  • 17 Kang Kuk-Chol
  • 8 Kim Kuk-Jin
  • 9 Ri Jo-Guk

Timeline

  1. Japan
    2' Japan Goal · Normal Goal
    A. Tanaka · Assist: R. Doan
  2. North Korea
    20' North Korea Card · Yellow Card
    Kuk Chol Jang

    Foul

  3. North Korea
    46' North Korea subst · Substitution 1
    Off: Choe Ju-Song · On: Ri Il-song
  4. North Korea
    46' North Korea subst · Substitution 2
    Off: Ri Un-Chol · On: Kang Kuk-Chol
  5. North Korea
    52' North Korea subst · Substitution 3
    Off: Kim Kyong-Sok · On: Choe Ok-Chol
  6. Japan
    58' Japan subst · Substitution 1
    Off: H. Morita · On: W. Endo
  7. Japan
    60' Japan Card · Yellow Card
    H. Ito

    Foul

  8. North Korea
    68' North Korea subst · Substitution 4
    Off: Jong Il-Gwan · On: Kim Kuk-Jin
  9. North Korea
    73' North Korea Card · Yellow Card
    Il-song Ri

    Foul

  10. Japan
    74' Japan subst · Substitution 2
    Off: R. Doan · On: Shogo Taniguchi
  11. Japan
    74' Japan subst · Substitution 3
    Off: Y. Sugawara · On: D. Hashioka
  12. Japan
    74' Japan subst · Substitution 4
    Off: T. Minamino · On: T. Asano
  13. North Korea
    75' North Korea Card · Yellow Card
    Kuk Chol Kang

    Foul

  14. Japan
    81' Japan subst · Substitution 5
    Off: A. Ueda · On: K. Ogawa
  15. North Korea
    83' North Korea subst · Substitution 5
    Off: P. Kim · On: Mun In-Ju

Match Stats

Stat Japan North Korea
Fouls 5 8
Pass Accuracy 84% 65%
Offsides 2 2
Red Cards — —
Total Shots 12 6
Corners 7 3
Total Passes 389 246
Yellow Cards 1 3
Blocked Shots 2 1
Shots on Target 3 3
xG — —
Shots off Target 7 2
Possession 61% 39%
Accurate Passes 325 159
Shots Inside Box 7 2
Saves 3 2
Shots Outside Box 5 4

Key Match Notes

  • ▸ A. Tanaka's early goal in the 2nd minute set the tone for Japan's victory, giving them a crucial lead early on.
  • ▸ North Korea's early yellow card to Kuk Chol Jang (20th minute) disrupted their momentum, allowing Japan to control the game.