Spain U-23

2.31

• 
  169

  41

  3.50

  David de Gea

  Was left helpless with the Japanese goal, done well in order to make sure that his side were still in the game after a series of mistakes from the defenders in front of him. Made a couple of superb saves that meant his side weren’t out of the game.

• 
  31

  51

  2.00

  Álvaro Domínguez

  Had problems dealing with the Japanese forward line throughout, nearly gave away a second goal when his poor back pass was picked off by a Japanese striker, but luckily for the Borussia Moenchengladbach defender they didn’t capitalise on his mistake.

• 
  35

  76

  1.00

  Íñigo Martínez

  Let his side down badly as he brought down Japanese striker Kensuke Nagai and was sent off by the referee with five minutes left in the first half, leaving his side a goal down and a man down.

• 
  49

  94

  2.50

  Jordi Alba

  The new Barcelona signing wanted to do more of the attacking work than any defensive duties, which left his colleagues at the back exposed to the onslaught at times from the Japanese attacks.

• 
  21

  86

  2.00

  Montoya

  Didn’t offer Spain enough on the right hand side, was usually seen loitering on the right wing, he never offered himself enough for the ball and when he had it, he rarely done anything creative with it.

• 
  37

  72

  3.00

  Javi Martínez

  The captain of the side, Martinez looked to start off the moves for Spain going forward and helped out Mata when he could, but was on the back foot a lot as Japan pushed forward.

• 
  25

  45

  2.50

  Koke

  Yet another one of the poor performers for Spain, offered little going forward and rarely troubled the Japanese defence.

• 
  31

  32

  2.00

  Isco

  Another player involved in some good passing moves, but with no end product, as the Spanish tried to get back into the game, replaced late on Cristian Tello.

• 
  31

  29

  2.50

  Adrián

  Never really found a way in order to get in behind the Japanese defence, often left on his own as his midfield colleagues were forced back by the speedy Japanese attack, was eventually replaced by Ander Herrera.

• 
  25

  30

  2.50

  Rodrigo

  Was involved in some good passing movements for the Spanish, as they looked to break down the opposition, was eventually deployed in an attacking role during the second half after the departure of Adrian Lopez.

• 
  111

  27

  3.00

  Juan Mata

  Played just off of the striker Adrian Lopez, looked sharp early on as he managed to penetrate the Japanese defence. Had an attempt to put the Spanish ahead in the first half, didn’t see enough of the ball to help his team get back into the game.

Substitutions

• 
  42

  50

  2.00

  Oriol Romeu

  Played a defensive role when he came on.

• 
  26

  67

  1.50

  Tello

  Came on late.

Japan U-23

2.82

• 
  46

  29

  2.00

  Shuichi Gonda

  Looked shaky anytime that the Spanish ventured forward, but was helped out by the fact his side were rarely defending.

• 
  76

  11

  2.50

  Yuhei Tokunaga

  Managed to deal with the Spanish attacks and helped his side when they went forward in search of goals.

• 
  55

  10

  2.50

  Takahiro Ogihara

  A productive player for Japan, especially in the first half, but he tired later on and was eventually replaced.

• 
  72

  7

  3.00

  Hiroki Sakai

  One of two rocks at the back for Japan, as he offered a vast amount of support to his keeper when he was in trouble.

• 
  53

  11

  2.50

  Daisuke Suzuki

  Like the rest of his team, done well throughout the entire game

• 
  143

  8

  3.50

  Maya Yoshida

  The VVV Venlo kept the Spanish team at bay and especially made sure that Juan Mata couldn’t get in on goal.

• 
  98

  16

  3.00

  Yuki Otsu

  The striker was a thorn in the Spanish side during the first half and he and his striker partner hassled the Spanish back four and his persistence paid off as he managed to claim the opening goal before being substituted at half time.

• 
  56

  17

  2.50

  Keigo Higashi

  Offered support to his teammates as they looked to kill the game off.

• 
  91

  9

  3.50

  Hotaru Yamaguchi

  Great going forward and offered a level of service to his striker that Spain couldn't match.

• 
  107

  14

  4.00

  Hiroshi Kiyotake

  Could have had a few goals as Japan went forward at well.

• 
  161

  15

  3.00

  Kensuke Nagai

  Another player who should have had his name on the scoresheet during the game.

Substitutions

• 
  49

  12

  2.50

  Gotoku Sakai

  Played well when he came on.

• 
  31

  15

  2.50

  Kazuya Yamamura

  Looked good for Japan.

• 
  37

  19

  2.50

  Manabu Saito

  Productive when he came on.