0-0: Japan, Spain’s rivals in Qatar, avoided defeat against Ecuador

Ecuador and Japan, Spain’s rivals at the World Cup in Qatar, gave it their all on Tuesday in search of victory, but had to settle for a goalless draw in the friendly they played in the German city of Düsseldorf.

Japan will face Spain on December 1 in Al Rayyan on the third and final day of group E of the World Cup, while Ecuador is in group A with hosts Qatar, Senegal and the Netherlands.

Both teams created at least four scoring chances that were saved by goalkeepers Hernán Galíndez, from Ecuador, and Daniel Schmidt, from Japan, with excellent saves.

Ecuador’s all-time leading scorer (35 goals), Enner Valencia, had the best scoring opportunity with a penalty shot in the 82nd minute, but Schmidt saved the South American’s shot.

a balanced pulse

The dedication, the effort, the dynamism and the good strategy of the game were the characteristics of both teams since the German referee Sascha Stegermann blew the whistle at the start of the game, which was delayed because on several occasions, in the first fifteen minutes, the field irrigation system. .

Japan tried to overcome the opposite goal with their movements that were very well assembled, they worked on the ball presses of the first intention, but they found a well-organized, supported and ambitious rival, who ended up imposing their action in the first half.

Galíndez stopped the Japanese

Japan struck first, with a cross from Takumi Minamino for attacker Kyögo Furuhashi, but goalkeeper Hernán Galíndez blocked the scoring chance.

The Ecuadorian goalkeeper got hold of the ball again, in another approach from Japan, after an early error by Pervis Estupiñán, who ended up giving a goal pass to Kyögo Furuhashi, who finished weakly.

Pole and Schmidt saved Japan

Ecuador enjoyed two clear chances to open the scoring. The first, with a shot by Romario Ibarra, but the ball fell to the base of a post, when the Japanese defenders and goalkeeper did not have any reaction.

Daniel Schmidt saved his team from a sung goal, as he managed to deny the ball going into his goal after a header from striker Michael Estrada hit a defender.

At the close of the first half, Estrada finished off a header, the ball went past a defender and as he crossed the goal line, Schmidt’s reaction was brilliant.

attack against pressure

After the break, both teams continued with the same action, Ecuador launched the attack and Japan insisted on their pressure on the ball, trying to lead their rival into mistakes.

In a deep attack by the Japanese on the left side, Minamoto signed a first-class shot that escaped the right side of goalkeeper Galindez.

Japan raised their level of play and put Ecuador in trouble with a header from Döan towards the edge of the goal.

The Japanese made another clear scoring chance. A shot by Döan was denied by Galíndez, the ball reached Soma, who shot again, but Galíndez was once again provincial for his team.

Enner Valencia missed a penalty at the end

Ecuador enjoyed the best scoring chance with a penalty taken by Enner Valencia in the 82nd minute, but Schmidt made an excellent save.

Shortly after, Valencia, who had come on for Ángel Mena, rose past the Japanese defenders and headed into a square, but the Japanese goalkeeper was able to counter the shot and keep the score at 0-0.