Michael Kenrick 31/03/2026 16comments  |  Jump to last
England 0 - 1 Japan

Jordan Pickford is reinstated in goal for England but he was beaten by Mitoma in the 23rd minute at Wembley tonight against Japan.

Lots of absentees in the expected England line-up but there was no second start for James Garner despite effusive praise from Thomas Tuchel for his performance against Uruguay. 

It was a nice quick Japanese move following a midfield turnover that saw simple yet rapid and incisive movement of the ball across the ragged back line of the retreating England defence who were cut apart with Mitoma having an easy job to fire past a befuddled Jordan Pickford.

James Garner was introduced as a substitute for Mainoo after 70 minutes but could do little to change the course of the game against a lively and quick Japan team.

 
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Reader Comments (16)

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Paul Griffiths
1 Posted 31/03/2026 at 20:59:29
The white kits look nice, nicer than the footy.

Japan get back quickly and move the ball nicely and quickly. What the fuck is Guehi doing as skipper? What about the lad between the sticks?

Paul Griffiths
2 Posted 31/03/2026 at 21:14:11
Garner cap #2
Michael Kenrick
3 Posted 31/03/2026 at 21:17:40
Japan almost got a second there before Garner came on.
Paul Griffiths
4 Posted 31/03/2026 at 21:21:42
How on earth are England second favourites for the World Cup?
Tony Abrahams
5 Posted 31/03/2026 at 21:26:55
They are definitely one of my favourite international teams Japan, Paul, because I think there is so much to enjoy about the way they play football.

Hard work is a given, they play close, they break quick, but I just wish they would leave a man on the halfway line and go and catch England on the counter!

Michael Kenrick
6 Posted 31/03/2026 at 21:33:57
What a miss from Rodgers.
Paul Griffiths
7 Posted 31/03/2026 at 21:37:09
They are a breath of fresh air Tony.

I always wonder why we do not have a man on our side of the half-way line when opponents have corners, two for Arsenal.

Paul Griffiths
8 Posted 31/03/2026 at 21:37:52
He's had a poor 2026 Michael, the full '90 might do him some good.
Paul Griffiths
9 Posted 31/03/2026 at 21:40:28
Elliott-A man of the match.

What do Everton and England have in common?

Striker crisis if Kane really is an issue.

Christy Ring
10 Posted 31/03/2026 at 21:41:46
Paul #4 Not being cynical, but Merson was on Sky yesterday and said Foden (City sub) and Palmer would make any team in the world, and how the pundits keep talking up Saka, overrated in my opinion, has done nothing in the last 4 mths, listening to Sky they've nothing to worry about until the semifinal?
Tony Dunn
11 Posted 31/03/2026 at 21:45:18
When I was a football coach at a school in north London, ( woodside park had a massive Japanese population ) I used to always have Japanese boys in my teams, great work ethic,skillful,respectful,listened to tactics and ideas, followed instructions and were generally a coach s ideal pupil.
Paul Griffiths
12 Posted 31/03/2026 at 21:51:36
I hope that I don't sound like a typecaster/stereotyper Tony, but respect seems to be a large part of Japanese culture.

Christy, those three were golden boys two years ago but, along with Bellingham, they have become major issues. I don't think that Tuchel knows what his best midfield is or if there is any sign of a settled midfield. Rice would be my only certainty at the moment - might leave a door ajar for Garner.

Tony Abrahams
13 Posted 31/03/2026 at 21:53:30
I think it’s imperative that you should always try and keep a man up at all times Paul, for a dinosaur like myself!
Tony Abrahams
14 Posted 31/03/2026 at 22:03:31
That makes a lot of sense to me Tony, because the thing that always strikes me when I watch Japan play, is the amount of discipline, which just looks like it comes very naturally?

I don’t know how true it is Paul, but I was told that one of the reasons that they are so respectful stems from the atrocities that were inflicted on their country, towards the end Second World War?

No human being should inflict such horror on another. I might have been told wrong.

Paul Griffiths
15 Posted 31/03/2026 at 22:03:46
I mean, it means that one or two of Gabriel, Saliba, and Timber cannot be in our box for corners. They'll need two to mark Beto; well, one for Barry.
Paul Griffiths
16 Posted 31/03/2026 at 22:07:19
When it comes to respectful bowing Tony, that developed 1,500 years ago. Initially related to spread of Buddhism from China/Korea if memory serves and then became more general.

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