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Tournament newcomers Kashiwa Reysol made an instant impact at the Al Kass International Cup on Tuesday night, battling to a remarkable 2-2 draw against early favourites FC Barcelona.
Putting on an organised, athletic display for the full 90 minutes, the Japanese outfit often dominated their Spanish opposition and could have won this compelling contest had it not been for a spirited second half fightback from Barca.
Frustrating the Catalans with their athletic, close-pressing style of play, Reysol kept a lid on Barca’s famed brand of pass-and-move football that had served the Spanish side so well on Monday when they beat PSG 4-3.
Putting 11 men behind the ball in the opening 20 minutes, the Japanese youngsters chose to sit back and frustrate their opponents until they sensed an attacking opportunity. After 24 minutes they seized their chance. Having not managed a single shot up to this point, the Japanese suddenly charged forward, with Kyohei Otani marauding down the left wing before cutting inside and squaring the ball to Shunta Nakamura. The forward made space for himself before firing accurately past Barca keeper Sergi Herrera.
Suddenly, the impressive fitness and athleticism of the Japanese youngsters threatened to overpower the Catalans, who had given their all in a highly physical encounter with PSG just 24 hours earlier. Reysol began to play further up the field, inspired by captain Kaito Anzai whose subtle movements allowed him to pull the strings in midfield. His passing expertise was there for all to witness in the 44th minute when he crossed to provide for Reysol’s Kyohei Otani, who finished calmly to make the score 2-0.
As the second half got underway it appeared that Reysol were prepared to settle for what they had got. Supremely well organised and highly vocal, the Japanese players’ constant calls to one another rang out in the cool night air as FCB attempted to break their resolve with wave upon wave of intricate attacks, repelled by a determined defensive line.
In the 53rd minute the Spanish side hit the post after Javier Duran managed to connect with a cross from the right. It was beginning to look as though it would not be Barca’s night. However, on 64 minutes, a devastating three-minute blitz on Reysol’s goal left the Japanese reeling and Barca in the ascendancy, as their unrelenting pressure finally brought reward.
First, South Korean forward Seungwoo Lee eluded three challenges before scoring his second of the tournament with an expert strike across the keeper into the bottom right corner. With a renewed sense of confidence, Barca began to look like the side that had imperiously dismantled a powerful PSG side the previous day. Just a minute later, captain Carles Alena Castillo had a goal disallowed after being ruled fractionally offside. Within seconds, however, FCB had equalised through David Olmo Carajal, who latched on to a deft through ball from Castillo before rounding the despairing keeper and applying a cool finish.
Stung into action, Reysol came out fighting and a feisty period ensued, with tackles flying in from both sides. Barca’s substitute centre back was perhaps fortunate to avoid a red card on 70 minutes after mis-controlling a back pass and bringing down his advancing opponent. The referee opted to show yellow, and Reysol wasted their chance from the ensuing free kick on the edge of the area.
With ten minutes remaining caution set in, with both teams anxious to avoid a mistake that could gift victory to the opposition. However, there was still time for Barca to create a chance that almost won the game. A last-minute run from the superb Lee, an exact carbon copy of his goal-scoring move earlier in the game, put him one-on-one with keeper Taiga Someya. This time however, the South Korean’s shot was weak and easily saved. Lee instantly collapsed with cramp, illustrating the toll that this hugely competitive game had taken on the players.
With the game ending 2-2, Barcelona are now through to the knock-out stage of the tournament. The result means that Paris Saint-Germain will need to beat Reysol in Wednesday’s final Group A fixture if they are to progress.
