Takumi Minamino was Japan's hero in their Asia Cup 2023 debut. The Monaco man scored twice as Japan came from behind to beat Vietnam 4-2 on Sunday. The tournament favorites trailed 2-1 in the first half despite Minamino opening the scoring after 11 minutes of the Group D match. Nguyen Dình Bac equalized at the Al Thumama Stadium five minutes later and Vietnam, ranked 94th by FIFA, took the lead thanks to Pham Tuan Hai's goal 33 minutes into the first half.
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Japan, a four-time AFC Asian Cup winner, is ranked 17th according to world soccer's governing body and is shaping up to reclaim the trophy it last won in 2011. But they had to suffer to win on their opening day. The Japanese side recovered from the shock of going behind when former Liverpool player Minamino, now at Monaco, equalized after 45 minutes.
Keito Nakamura made it 3-2 in first-half stoppage time and substitute Ayase Ueda extended Japan's lead in the 85th minute, the latter goal coming from a second-half substitute Kubo.
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Liverpool player and Japan captain, Wataru Endo, had an outstanding game, playing a part in setting up one of Minamino's goals. Wataru Endo created the most chances on the pitch (3) for Japan and also made the most recoveries (12) today. On top of that he got an assist as well. A fantastic start to the Asian Cup for him.
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