Japan wants to gild the German victory
The first matchday of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar is over and after the events of the first games, the signs have changed somewhat. Of course, this also has an impact on the Japan vs. Costa Rica tip. The Asians look even stronger than expected before the tournament, Japan is the favorite.
For Costa Rica, the team must now gather. The 0:7 against Spain was a hearty bankruptcy, which must first be shaken out of the heads and legs. Nobody talks about progressing with the team anymore, our Japan vs. Costa Rica prognosis does not give the outsider much courage.
For Japan, of course, the game could still be tricky. After the euphoric game and the victory against Germany, the “annoying” duty now waits, a game in which you go as the team that has to show something. So it could well be an interesting test.
Japan – Statistics & Current Form
The Japanese national team knew that the kick-off against the DFB team would be difficult. Especially in the 1st half Japan ran behind a lot. But the team waited for their chance and got it after changes in the 2nd half. Japan turned the game around, won 2-1 and suddenly have outstanding chances to advance in this difficult group.
Provided the game against Costa Rica is won. Because then Germany would have to leave the field as winners against Spain. After the impressions of the first matchday, this seems unlikely. This first matchday was also a confirmation of the good development for Japan. In 2022, there were only three defeats in now 15 games. This is something to be proud of. In addition, Japan conceded only twice more than one goal in these 15 games.
The qualities are very complex. The Asians are a technically adept team with a lot of experience. Players from the Bundesliga such as Endo, Ito, Kamada, Doan or Asano bring a lot of class, especially speed. In the end, this was also the downfall of the German team. Now that’s exactly what should work against Costa Rica again.
Japan with stable performance
So the Japanese have had a very good year so far, seem constant and stable and, above all, have the opportunity to change on the field with few changes. At the same time, it should also be borne in mind that the game against Costa Rica will be different from the game against Germany. Here Japan must come out of possession and make the game, many counter-chances will not arise.
A win would mean Japan winning two games in a row at a World Cup for the first time since 2002. Against Costa Rica, the Moriyasu team is not only favored, but they also have a good record, as they did not lose any of four games against this opponent.
Because the opponent in the opening game was extremely harmless and Japan is technically much better, our prediction before the game Japan against Costa Rica is that not both teams will score.
Expected line-up of Japan:
Gonda – Sakai, Itakura, Yoshida, Tomiyasu – Endo, Morita, Kamada, Mitoma, Doan – Asano
Last matches of Japan:
World Cup Group E
23/11/2022 – Germany 1 – 2 Japan
Friendly matches
17/11/2022 – Japan 1 – 2 Canada
27/09/2022 – Japan 0 – 0 Ecuador
23/09/2022 – Japan 2 – 0 USA
East Asian Championship
27/07/2022 – Japan 3 – 0 South Korea
Costa Rica – Statistics & Current Form
For Costa Rica, the start to the tournament could hardly have been worse. With 0:7 the team lost to the Spaniards at the start and thus it is almost clear that the elimination is sealed. No one really counted Costa Rica among the hot candidates to advance in this group, yet they had been expected to do better.
And not without reason, because in recent tournaments this selection has often ensured that other opponents have bitten their teeth. The current 31st in the FIFA world rankings also started the World Cup with four wins from five games, not losing five times in a row before Spain rolled over Costa Rica.
Almost as bad as the goals conceded was the problem in the offense. Costa Rica did not manage a single shot in the direction of the Spanish goal. Since the beginning of the data collection, this was only the second time in a World Cup match the case. So there is a lot to improve.
Costa Rica wants to present itself much better
Seven times in a row, Costa Rica played a game at a World Cup and could not win in the end. After the clear defeat at the start, the team will also be grabbed by the honor and try to throw everything into the balance to give Japan a great fight. Costa Rica can do what it likes to do, namely stand low. Perhaps even another, additional defender will be appointed.
But even then, order and discipline on the field must improve. However, it is more likely, as the bookmakers also see as such, that Japan continues to ride the wave of euphoria. Even a clear victory does not seem out of the question. Therefore, before the game Japan vs. Costa Rica, our value tip is that the Asians win by more than one goal.
Expected line-up of Costa Rica:
Navas – Martinez, Duarte, Calvo, Chacon, Oviedo – Tejeda, Borges, Campbell – Ruiz, Contreras
Last matches of Costa Rica:
World Cup Group E
23/11/2022 – Spain 7 – 0 Costa Rica
Friendly matches
10/11/2022 – Costa Rica 2 – 0 Nigeria
27/09/2022 – Uzbekistan 1 – 2 Costa Rica
23/09/2022 – South Korea 2 – 2 Costa Rica
World Cup qualification. Playoff Games
15/06/2022 – Costa Rica 1 – 0 New Zealand
Japan – Costa Rica Direct Comparison / H2H Balance
The two national teams have faced each other four times, never in a competitive match. Japan celebrated three victories, once there was a draw. The last duel was in September 2018, when Japan won 3-0. Again, we favor the odds on Samurai Blue for Japan vs. Costa Rica.
Japan – Costa Rica Tip
Japan are the favourites and not just because of a balanced squad and some good approaches plus the success in the first game. The balance and form also speak for the team from Asia, so Costa Rica has to have an outstanding day for something to be possible.
But the hopes are not too high. Because the Central Americans were so harmless in the first game, we play in Japan against Costa Rica the odds on not both teams meet.
