SOCCER/ Japan beats United States 2-0 in men’s Olympic warmup match

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

June 12,dailies first 2024 at 11:35 JST

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People stand for the national anthem before an international friendly soccer match between the United States and Japan, June 11, 2024, in Kansas City, Kan. (AP Photo)

KANSAS CITY, Kan.--Shota Fujio converted a penalty kick in the sixth minute, Mao Hosoya added a goal in the 69th and Japan beat the United States 2-0 in an under-23 game on Tuesday night, the Americans’ last warmup ahead of the Olympics.

Japan was awarded the penalty kick when Koki Saito flicked the ball off the right arm of defender Bryan Reynolds at the edge of the penalty area. Fujio sent the penalty kick to Patrick Schulte’s right as the goalkeeper jumped to the left.

Japan scored its second goal after intercepting John Tolkin’s throw-in. Shunsuke Mito dribbled toward the goal and his pass deflected off defender Jonathan Tomkinson and Schulte, and Hosoya tapped in the rebound from 4 yards.

Japan midfielder Rihito Yamamoto was stretchered off in the 24th minute after getting hit flush in the face with a shot.

Schulte started in goal, with Reynolds at right back, Walker Zimmerman and Tomkinson in central defense and Caleb Wiley at left back. Tanner Tessmann, Paxten Aaronson, Duncan McGuire, Johan Gomez and Griffin Yow were in midfield and Taylor Booth headed the attack.

Midfielder Gianluca Busio didn’t play after hurting an ankle while playing for Venezia in its playoff against Cremonese on June 2, when it earned promotion to Serie A.

The U.S. qualified for its first men’s Olympic soccer tournament since 2008 and will open against host France on July 24, then meet New Zealand and Guinea. Japan plays Paraguay, Mali and Israel.

Men’s Olympic soccer is limited to players under 23, with each team’s 18-man roster allowed three players over the age limit. The 31-year-old Zimmerman captained the U.S. and was the only overage American player to dress.

Rosters of two goalkeepers and 16 outfield players must be submitted by July 3, and each team will designate up to four standbys, including one goalkeeper.

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