The Japan U-20 National Team has been eliminated from the group stage of the FIFA U-20 World Cup 2023 in Argentina with a 1-2 loss.
Japan suffered an upset 1-2 loss in its final Group C match against Israel on Monday (Aug. 28) despite a numerical advantage.
A draw would have secured a spot in the round of 16, which is awarded to the top four teams in the group, but the Japanese were unable to hold off a strong Israeli offense.
On the 29th, Uruguay and Tunisia faced off in Group E, with Uruguay winning 1-0. Tunisia finished with one win, two losses, and a goal differential of +1, ahead of Japan (-1). Japan dropped from fourth place to the top five. 메이저놀이터
In Group F, we still have to wait for the results of the matches between South Korea and Gambia and Honduras and France, but Japan has already failed to advance to the round of 16, falling behind Tunisia. The top three teams in the group are Nigeria (2 W, 1 D), New Zealand (1 W, 1 D, 1 L, goal difference -4), and Slovakia (1 W, 2 D, goal difference +1).
It was Japan’s first group stage exit in the same country in 22 years, since Argentina 2001. The Japanese packed their bags in humiliation after being swept aside by Israel, who had been the upset of the tournament since the European qualifiers.
Japan is a competitive nation with a strong record at this age group tournament, including a runner-up finish in Nigeria in 1999. They have reached the round of 16 in two consecutive tournaments, in Poland in 2019 and South Korea in 2017.
However, unlike South Korea, who reached the round of 16 in three consecutive tournaments, Japan packed up early and went home with Uzbekistan.