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Depleted SA U-23s face a struggle in Tokyo as they start with defeat against Japan

Ritsu Doan of Japan and Sibusiso Mabiliso of South Africa during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games men's football match between Japan and South Africa at Tokyo Stadium on July 22, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan.
Ritsu Doan of Japan and Sibusiso Mabiliso of South Africa during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games men's football match between Japan and South Africa at Tokyo Stadium on July 22, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan.
Image: Roger Sedres/Gallo Images

A much-depleted South Africa face a challenge making an impact at the 2020 Olympic men’s football tournament, as hosts Japan displayed in a clinical 1-0 win in the teams’ opening Group A game on Thursday.

Real Madrid wing signing Takefusa Kubo provided Japan’s 71st-minute winner at Tokyo Stadium.

SA Under-23 coach David Notoane opted for a 3-4-3 formation that, should wing-backs Reeve Frosler and Sibusiso Mabiliso get up and down the flanks effectively, could offer options in defence and attack.

SA defended bravely, centre-forward Evidence Makgopa more a front line of defence harassing the build-ups than a striker. But for such an under-strength SA, their mission in Group A, which also includes France and Mexico, is set to be a tough outing.

Given the relative preparations, this game against the hosts might have been more of a mismatch than when SA bravely held eventual winners Brazil to a 0-0 draw in the opener at Rio 2016.

SA’s build-up was hit by tournaments being cancelled due to Covid-19. They lost three and drew one of the four games against Egypt and Saudi Arabia eked out as warm-ups in the past year.

Several overseas-based players, including Percy Tau and Gift Links, were not released by their clubs. Then five players – Lyle Foster‚ Fagrie Lakay‚ Abbubaker Mobara‚ Sipho Mbule and Keletso Makgalwa – were withdrawn for various medical reasons.

Arriving in Tokyo SA had two players test positive for Covid-19, and the squad had to isolate for two days, only resuming training on Monday. In all they travelled seven days without training from their camp in Mpumalanga.

Frosler was rushed straight into the XI despite arriving late, having played in Kaizer Chiefs’ Caf Champions League final defeat to Al Ahly in Morocco on Saturday night.

Japan, a team with high levels of organisation and work-rate, had a strong preparation. Senior national coach Hajime Moriyasu had successfully rebuilt their team that disappointingly exited in the opening round of the 2020 AFC Asia U-23 Cup.

In seven friendlies in 2021 Japan’s results included a 3-0 win against Argentina, 6-0 win against Ghana, 4-0 win against Jamaica, 3-1 win against Honduras and Saturday’s 1-1 draw against Spain.

They have been tipped to win their first medal since their bronze in 1968 in Mexico.

Given all these factors, it was not a surprise when Japan stretched SA through the opening half.

The classy PEC Zwolle left-back Yuta Nakayama was the source of much of Japan’s forward momentum, as Ronwen Williams had to make a string of saves to keep his team in the game.

Japan continued to pierce SA regularly from the break. Williams stopped centre-forward Daichi Hayashi’s point-blank volley in the 55th.

After that chance, and past the hour, Japan seemed out of ideas. But they deserved a goal.

Skilful winger Kubo provided it, beating Mabiliso and producing a swerving strike from the edge of the box past Williams.