VICTORIA — Ten years after recording a record-setting rout, Japan did just enough Wednesday to remain perfect at the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup.
Atomu Tanaka's goal in the 68th minute led the Japanese to a 1-0 victory over Costa Rica in Group F action.
In their only previous meeting at the 1997 U-20 World Cup in Malaysia, Japan trounced Costa Rica 6-2 — the island country's largest margin of victory at any FIFA men's event. The Japanese (2-0-0) happily settled for a one-goal triumph Wednesday night in front of a near-capacity crowd of 10,500.
With the victory, Japan sits alone atop Group F with six points. Costa Rica (0-2-0) has been held without a goal over its first two games.
Japan's Atomu Tanaka is hugged by teammate Tsukasa Umesaki after the former's goal. (Marcio Jose Sanchez/CP)
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Both defences held strong in the early going, with Japanese defender Tomoaki Makino making several tackles to halt Costa Rican attacks.
Costa Rica's best early chance came in the 16th minute when midfielder Celso Borges chipped a ball over the defence to Luis Perez. Perez cut the ball back on the left flank to beat the defender, but his shot missed the far post by inches.
Japan's breakthrough came midway through the second half when Tsukasa Umesadi, who plays for Oita Trinita in Japan, crossed the ball from the left side to an unmarked Tanaka. The Albirex Niigata star easily volleyed the ball into the open net from three yards out.
Costa Rica's best chance to reply came in the 83rd minute when Pablo Herrera hit a curling shot from the left side that went into the side-netting. Other than that, the Costa Ricans had a difficult time trying to make any headway against a stout Japanese defence.
