Japan Soccer Advances to Semifinals by Beating New Zealand in Penalty Shootout

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] Japan has advanced to the semifinals of the Tokyo Olympics men's soccer tournament. They will compete with Spain for a spot in the final.

The Japan men's Olympic soccer team played against New Zealand in the quarterfinals of the Tokyo Olympics men's soccer tournament on the 31st at Ibaraki Kashima Stadium in Kashima City, Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan. After a 0-0 draw through 120 minutes including extra time, Japan won 4-2 in the penalty shootout.

Japan, which advanced to the quarterfinals as the first place team in Group A, narrowly defeated New Zealand, the second place team in Group B, and succeeded in reaching the Olympic semifinals for the first time in nine years since the 2012 London Games, where they lost the third-place match against South Korea.

Japan will face Spain, who defeated Ivory Coast 5-2 on the same day, in the semifinals on the 3rd of next month at 8 PM at Saitama Stadium in Saitama Prefecture.

At Miyagi Stadium in Miyagi Prefecture, Japan, Spain advanced to the semifinals by defeating Ivory Coast 5-2 after extra time. Spain, the first place team in Group C, scored three goals in extra time after a 2-2 draw with Ivory Coast, the second place team in Group D, to secure the victory.

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