Japaese men's Olympic soccer team opened their Shenyang campaign with a 2-1 victory over DPR Korea on Wednesday.
Later on the evening at the four-nation tournament, slated from August 1 to 5, hosts China will play the Botswana Olympic team.
Yasuharu Sorimachiy, head coach of the Japanese Olympic team, was under huge pressure after their senior national team finished fourth in a disappointing Asian Cup trip.
But he only brought here three member of their Under-20 team who just returned from the Canada world youth championship, namely midfielder Tsukasa Umesaki, defender Michihiro Yasuda and forward Yasuhito Morishima.
Missing most of their regular starters due to an All-Star match of Japan League in August, the Asian soccer powerhouse failed to impress from the very beginning and did not open the scoring until halfway into the first half.
In the 23rd minute, Japan's free kick outside the rivals' penalty box forced a corner and Umesaki's kick resulted in a goal by Hiroyuki Komoto, who net the ball by knee after a one-touch header from his teammate.
Just five minutes later, Umesaki scored himself, tapping in the second for Japan after the 20-year-old midfielder was picked up by Hiroyuki Taniguchi's fine through by heel.
The only goal for DPR Korea gained through a penalty kick in the second half, after Japanese defender Yasuda pulled down South Korean skipper Cha Jong Hyok inside the penalty box and Ri Chol Myong converted the spot kick into a goal in the 67th minute.
DPR Korea had wasted their best chance before the break, as Ri Jong Man, head coach of the Under-23 team, had named a strong team for the friendly tournament with all his main players alongside two members of the senior national team.
The opening ten minutes of the match saw the ball under control of the South Korean team, and Cha hardly made breakthrough in as early as the first minute before the captain and defender launched his second attempt.
Source: Xinhua
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