[스포티비뉴스=조영준 기자] The defender of the Spanish national football team, Cesar Azpilicueta (Chelsea FC) revealed his opinion on the match against Japan.
The Spanish national football team lost 1-2 to Japan in the final match of the Qatar 2022 World Cup group E stage held at the Kilipa International Stadium in Doha, Qatar on the 2nd (Korea time).
Spain scored the first goal in the 11th minute of the first half, but two goals were allowed in the second half. Japan, who defeated Spain, advanced to the round of 16 by finishing first in Group E with 2 wins, 1 loss and 6 points. Spain, who had a strong lead in the group, were caught by Japan and rose to second place with 1 win, 1 draw, 1 loss and 4 points.
Spain were level with Germany on 4 points, but advanced to the round of 16 in second place, leading on goal difference.
In this game, attention was drawn to the fact that Spain did not show the will to score goals in the second half. In the media and the foreign community, Spain received a glare saying, ‘Isn’t it a deliberate loss for Japan’ in order to rise to second place in the group?
If they advance to the round of 16 with 1st place in Group E, they will face Croatia, 2nd in Group F. Croatia is a powerhouse that caused a sensation at the 2018 World Cup in Russia and came second. Morocco came first in Group F, unexpectedly. It was assumed that Spain, aware of this Group F result, lost to Japan to meet Morocco, which was less demanding.
Goal, a Japanese football media, reported on the 3rd that “Spain’s DF Azpilicueta has refuted the question that he lost to Japan on purpose.” “I was on the bench in the second half, so I knew the situation (Germany scoring),” said Azpilicueta. “The last few years we gave everything to win on the field. It was a shame we didn’t win this game.”
“Other games are out of our control. All we can do is help our teammates win games,” he said, claiming he did his best in the game against Japan.
Meanwhile, Spain meet Morocco in the round of 16, and if they progress to the quarter-finals, they will face the winners of Portugal and Switzerland, avoiding ‘championship candidate’ Brazil.
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