Mexico U-23

2.92

• 
  21

  1

  3.00

  J. Corona

  Powerless to stop Otsu's incredible opener that flew past him and into the top corner. Looked strong and comfortable under crosses in the area and displayed good communication as you would expect from a man wearing the captain's armband.

• 
  11

  1

  2.50

  I. Jiménez

  Failed to make as much of an impression as Chavez on the opposite flank. Several Japanese attackers were able to get the better of him throughout the game and this resulted in a stunted showing going forward.

• 
  10

  4

  2.50

  H. Mier

  Gave away a few fouls in dangerous positions which could have put the central Americans in peril but he was let off the hook by poor delivery from Japan.

• 
  15

  1

  3.50

  D. Chavez

  The pacy left-back had a fine game in both defence and attack. Chased down an overhit ball to keep a move alive that resulted in Mexico's second goal and defended sternly as Japan pushed for a late equaliser, neither Otsu or Kiyotake had any joy when operating down his flank.

• 
  16

  2

  3.50

  J. Aquino

  Given the task of sitting between the defensive midfielders and the attackers, Aquino spent the game in perpetual motion. Showed tremendous energy and no lack of technique throughout, his harrying forced Ogihara into an error that gave Peralta the opening to score the winning goal.

• 
  17

  3

  3.00

  D. Reyes

  Was pulled around the pitch by Nagai but dealt with the threat well, beating the Japanese striker in the air time after time.

• 
  13

  4

  2.50

  C. Salcido

  Operating as a defensive midfielder, the experienced former Fulham defender was caught out early on, giving Otsu too much space, which was punished by the midfielder's rasping strike.

• 
  33

  2

  4.00

  M. Fabián

  The most dangerous player on the pitch throughout, constantly buzzing around and causing havoc down the left flank. Was tipped as a potential Golden Boot winner pre-tournament and finally opened his account when he was needed most. Was swtiched on to nod home Enriquez's flick to equalise Japan's opener and score the first goal of the tournament past Gonda.

• 
  21

  2

  3.00

  Jorge Enríquez

  Slotted into midfield alongside Salcido, looking to quell Otsu and Kiyotake as they drifted infield. Rarely ventured forward but recycled the ball well. A telling contribution came as he peeled off his marker to flick Dos Santos' header onto Fabian, who netted his first of the Games.

• 
  23

  1

  3.50

  O. Peralta

  Played chiefly from the right side in the first period but became Mexico's focal point in the second. The game was largely passing him by until he hit a first-time effort wide and followed it up with a sumptuous curling effort that left Gonda no chance and will likely be a contender for the goal of the Games.

• 
  22

  5

  2.00

  Giovani dos Santos

  Impossible to track as he floated around the pitch, taking up every position on the forward line. Was wasteful when in dangerous positions, however, and was substituted at half-time for the taller and more physical Raul Jimenez.

Substitutions

• 
  14

  4

  3.00

  J. Cortés

  Replaced Aquino as the game entered stoppage time to eat up vital seconds with Mexico holding on to their lead and managed to have an even bigger impact, netting a late third to seal a fantastic win.

• 
  10

  4

  2.00

  R. Jiménez

  Replaced Dos Santos at half-time to bring height to the Mexican front line. The rangy striker took up position just behind Peralta but saw his touch let him down on several occassions and failed to get beyond his strike partner and into testing positions.

Japan U-23

2.58

• 
  3

  9

  2.50

  Shuichi Gonda

  Finally conceded his first goal of the Games but was let down by poor marking by his defence as Fabian was left clear to flick home from a corner. His impressive tournament was soured further as he could only spectate when Peralta's stunner left him standing.

• 
  5

  4

  3.00

  Yuhei Tokunaga

  Was pegged back for much of the game as several Mexican attackers looked for joy down his flank. Stood firm for much of the game, however, and Mexico eventually focused more fo their efforts down the opposite wing, a testament to his defensive abilities.

• 
  5

  9

  1.50

  Takahiro Ogihara

  A terrible evening for the Cerezo Osaka man who never looked comfortable playing deep in midfield. Lost Fabian at the corner which saw Mexico equalise Otsu's opener and turned blindly into Aquino to present Peralta the chance to blast home the winner.

• 
  3

  4

  2.50

  Hiroki Sakai

  Looked tentative in possession and gave up the ball on more than one occassion in dangerous positions. A lack of tracking back from Kiyotake often saw him double-teamed and left helpless against Fabian and Chavez, making his evening all the more difficult.

• 
  7

  1

  3.00

  Maya Yoshida

  Coped well with the threat of Peralta in the second half and was unlucky to see the striker hit an unstoppable effort that was abrely merited given his overall performance.

• 
  2

  2

  2.50

  Daisuke Suzuki

  Was tasked mainly with tracking those breaking from deeper positions and looked lost with so many men to cover. Let Cortes break past him too easily as the substitute sealed the game with a late, low finish.

• 
  21

  3

  3.50

  Yuki Otsu

  Opened the scoring with a stunning 25-yard drive that zipped into the top corner. After an excellent start, he took few chances afterwards, playing neatly from either flank, often looking to cut inside and support Nagai's hold-up play.

• 
  3

  2

  2.00

  Keigo Higashi

  Anonymous for much of the 70 minutes he spent on the pitch. Was positioned as the link man between Nagai and midfield but drifted about in an unintersted fashion, rarely breaking forward to join the lone striker, and was deservedly hooked.

• 
  5

  1

  2.50

  Hotaru Yamaguchi

  Neat and tidy as Japan looked to knock the ball around midfield but failed to provide anyhting penetrating. Broke forward on rare occassions and saw a tame effort blocked on one foray.

• 
  8

  3

  2.50

  Hiroshi Kiyotake

  Troubled Corona with an early shot from distance that fizzed just wide but struggled against Chavez for much of the game's remainder. Lacked the acceleration or imagination to break past his man and was replaced by Usami with time ticking away.

• 
  14

  1

  3.00

  Kensuke Nagai

  Incredible work-rate leading the line for little reward. Closed down all four members of Mexico's back line tirelessly and did well to bring his attacking team-mates into play but had very few glimpses of goal, firing high and wide with a rare second-half chance.

Substitutions

• 
  4

  4

  2.00

  Takashi Usami

  Brought on with 15 minutes remaining and Japan chasing an equaliser but the Bundesliga starlet failed to get going effectively.

• 
  4

  1

  3.00

  Kenyu Sugimoto

  Came on to give Nagai a genuine strike partner with 20 minutes remaining and his fresh legs injected impetus to the Japanese attack.

• 
  2

  1

  Manabu Saito

  Entered the pitch with game in its final 10 minutes with his side desperate for an equaliser but failed to contribute.