Japan vs Spain – 2024 Paris Olympics – Team News and Updates

2024-08-01 ScoreWaves Staff

Festivities at the 2024 Paris Olympics are firmly underway. And the Men’s football tournament has reached a crucial juncture, with the Quarterfinals stage less than 24 hours away.

While many football fans view France vs Argentina as the marquee game of the day, Spain’s match up against Japan could give that tie a run for its money. Both Spain and Japan have had a stellar Olympic campaign so far. However, one team’s Olympic dreams would definitely end on Friday. So, which team would come out on top?

Japan vs Spain – Match Preview

Spain were viewed as one of the pre-Olympics favorites for the gold medal, along with France and Argentina. They started the tournament in dominant fashion, winning the first two games of their campaign against Uzbekistan and Dominican Republic. However, La Roja hit a bump in their last group stage game against Egypt.

Spain had already booked a Quarterfinals spot going into matchday three. But the top spot for Pool C was still up for grabs, as an Egyptian victory would push La Roja into second place. And that’s exactly how events on that day transpired. The Pharaohs overcame La Roja by a scoreline of 2-1. This result meant that Egypt would now face Paraguay in the quarters. Whereas Spain now had to face an in-form Japan side.

Japan are the in-form team of the tournament. The Blue Samurais started their Olympic campaign in blistering manner, dismantling Paraguay by a scoreline of 5-0. They then backed up that performance with a gritty 1-0 win over Mali on matchday two. Japan overcame Israel by a solitary goal in their final group stage game, becoming only the second team at the 2024 Olympics to win all three group stage games, alongside the host nation France.

Despite being regulars at the Men’s football tournament in the Olympics, the Japanese Men’s team has never won an Olympic medal. Their best performances were fourth place finishes at the 2012 London Olympics and again at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. However, the Blue Samurai can finally end their wait this Olympics, but they must overcome Spain first.

Japan vs Spain – Team News and Updates

Spain possesses one of the most complete rosters at the 2024 Paris Olympics. The have the perfect balance of trademark Spanish flair and brute strength. Talented and promising youngsters like Barcelona starlets Pau Cubarsi and Fermin Lopez, along with Alex Baena, Pablo Barrios and Sergio Gomez, have played a crucial role at the Olympics this year.

La Roja head coach Santi Denia has a stacked roster to choose from. But despite the quality on offer, Denia has consistently chosen to place 17-year-old Pau Cubarsi at the heart of his defense. And the teenager has rewarded his manager’s faith with stellar displays. However, Cubarsi missed Spain’s last group stage game due to a suspension. Luckily for Spain, Cubarsi returns for their quarterfinals game against Japan.

This Japanese side will surely be a handful for Spain. After all, they are the in-form side of the tournament, securing victories in seven of their last eight matches. Go Oiwa’s men have firmly put their name in the reckoning for a medal this year. Japan have maintained a 100% record this tournament. However, that record was under threat, as Israel held the Blue Samurai to a goalless draw until Mao Hosoya stepped up to score in the dying embers of the match.

After his heroics in the last game, Oiwa might decide to give Hosoya a well-deserved start in the quarterfinals. 22-year-old Ryotaro Araki might make way for Hosoya’s inclusion into the starting 11 on Friday. Apart from that, the center back pairing of Suzuki and Kimura has served Oiwa well, as Japan are yet to concede a goal at the Olympics.