Japan End Amajimbos’ World Cup Journey

Photo by Noushad Thekkayil/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Amajimbos’ FIFA U-17 World Cup journey has come to an end after a 3-0 loss to Japan in the last 32 on Saturday afternoon.

The South Africans booked their spot in the round of 32 after finishing second in their group, while the Japanese finish top of their group without losing a game.

Sive Pama was back in the team after missing the last two matches through suspension, while Selwyn Stevens was also recalled by coach Vela Khumalo following the loss to Italy.

The game got off to a lively start for both sides, with Stevens and Neo Bohloko going close to breaking the deadlock in the opening 15 minutes for the South African outfit.

Khumalo was forced into a change on 29 minutes as Teboho Mlangeni was unable to continue and was replaced by Lebohang Dhlamini.

The South Africans were lucky not to be trailing at the break as Hiroto Asada unleashed a powerful strike from distance that crashed against the crossbar with goalkeeper Lwandiso Radebe well beaten.

Japan got their reward shortly after the halftime break, with Asada going one better by firing past Radebe with a neat finish.

It got worse for the South Africans on the hour mark as Japan doubled their lead when Minato Yoshida got his name on the score-sheet.

The Japanese ended any hope of Amajimbos coming back into the contest when Shota Fuji got the third goal of the day by firing past Radebe.

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