Japan beat New Zealand 2-1 in Kirin Cup final as Kubo plays 64 minutes
In short
Japan beat New Zealand 2-1 in the Kirin Cup final on October 5 at MUFG National Stadium, with Takefusa Kubo starting and playing until the 64th minute in an attacking midfield role, according to Yahoo! News Japan and Mynavi News. Kubo, who announced his marriage to actress Haruka Fukuhara on October 2, did not score, but Yahoo! News Japan said he produced sharp dribbling and was the starting point of Japan's opening goal. Fukuhara watched from the stands, and Kubo said it was not her first time at one of his matches and that he wants to play with a greater sense of responsibility.
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Japan beat New Zealand 2-1 in the Kirin Cup final on October 5 at MUFG National Stadium. Takefusa Kubo started the match and played until the 64th minute, according to Yahoo! News Japan and Mynavi News. Mynavi News reported that Japan switched from a 3-4-2-1 to a 4-2-3-1 and that Kubo played in the second line in the attacking midfield role, while Jiji Press said he contributed from the top-under position. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Kubo did not score. Yahoo! News Japan reported that he showed sharp dribbling and was the starting point of Japan's opening goal, and carried his comment that he wants to play with a greater sense of responsibility. Mynavi News quoted him on the position: “I might go back to the back four from now, and I like the top-under role.” It reported that he stayed involved in attacking moves alongside Ritsu Doan and Daizen Maeda, with the pair moving fluidly, before finishing his shift in the 64th minute. [ 1 , 3 ]
Three days before the match, on October 2, Kubo announced his marriage to actress Haruka Fukuhara, both Yahoo! News Japan and Mynavi News reported. Mynavi News said that after practice on October 3 he commented that he had worked for the parents and family who had raised him, and that from now on he also had to work for a different family. [ 1 , 3 ]
Fukuhara watched the final from the stands. Kubo said it was not the first time she had come to see him play, adding, according to Mynavi News, “I myself want to play with a sense of responsibility.” Yahoo! News Japan headlined his smile at her support and his remark that it was not her first time at one of his matches. [ 1 , 3 , 4 ]
The documents do not name the goalscorers in the 2-1 result, and give no kick-off time or attendance. Jiji Press's feed carried only a headline on Kubo's contribution in the Kirin Cup, without further detail. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Why it matters
The Kirin Cup final is a home tournament match for Japan's national team, and the result is a win in front of a home crowd. Beyond the score, the coverage centres on Kubo's role in the team and on his marriage announced three days earlier, with both his on-pitch contribution and his personal life treated as news by the community and tech outlets. No document sets out wider consequences for the team or the tournament.
Key facts
- Japan beat New Zealand 2-1 in the Kirin Cup final on October 5 at MUFG National Stadium. [ 1 , 3 ]
- Takefusa Kubo started and played until the 64th minute. [ 1 , 3 ]
- Kubo played in an attacking midfield role behind the front line. [ 2 , 3 ]
- Japan changed from a 3-4-2-1 to a 4-2-3-1 formation, Mynavi News reported. [ 3 ]
- Kubo did not score; Yahoo! News Japan said he was the starting point of Japan's opening goal. [ 1 ]
- Kubo announced on October 2 that he had married actress Haruka Fukuhara. [ 1 , 3 ]
- Fukuhara watched the match from the stands. [ 1 , 3 ]
- Kubo said after practice on October 3 that he had worked for the parents and family who raised him and now must also work for a different family. [ 3 ]
Still unclear
- Who scored Japan's two goals or New Zealand's goal. None of the documents name any goalscorer in the 2-1 result.
- Japan's switch from a 3-4-2-1 to a 4-2-3-1 formation. Reported only by Mynavi News; Jiji Press and Yahoo! News Japan do not mention the formation.
- The kick-off time and the attendance at MUFG National Stadium. No document gives the start time or a crowd figure.
- Japan beat New Zealand 2-1 in the Kirin Cup final on October 5. Reported by a single source so far
- Kubo started the match and played until the 64th minute. Reported by a single source so far
- Kubo announced his marriage to actress Haruka Fukuhara on October 2. Reported by a single source so far
- Fukuhara watched the match from the stands. Reported by a single source so far
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- Kubo and actress Haruka Fukuhara announce their marriage, three days before the final. [ 1 , 3 ]
- After practice, Kubo says he had worked for the parents and family who raised him and must now also work for a different family. [ 3 ]
- Yahoo! News Japan reports that Japan beat New Zealand 2-1, that Kubo started and played to the 64th minute, and that he did not score but began the move for the opening goal. [ 1 ]
- Jiji Press reports that Kubo contributed from the attacking midfield position in the Kirin Cup. [ 2 ]
- Mynavi News reports the formation change to 4-2-3-1, Kubo playing in the second line, and Fukuhara watching from the stands. [ 3 ]
- Yahoo! News Japan reports Kubo saying it is not the first time his wife has come to watch him play. [ 4 ]