Japan make five changes for Costa Rica World Cup match

Japan supporters wave a giant Japanese flag ahead of the start of the Qatar 2022 World Cup Group E football match between Japan and Costa Rica at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium in Al-Rayyan, west of Doha on November 27, 2022. (Photo by Giuseppe CACACE / AFP)

Japan supporters wave a giant Japanese flag ahead of the start of the Qatar 2022 World Cup Group E football match between Japan and Costa Rica at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium in Al-Rayyan, west of Doha on November 27, 2022. (Photo by Giuseppe CACACE / AFP)
Japan made five changes from their team that beat Germany in their World Cup opener as they face Costa Rica on Sunday.
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Attackers Ritsu Doan, who came on and scored against Germany, Yuki Soma, and Ayase Ueda come into the starting line-up as Japan looks to take a big step towards the knockout round.

Right-back Miki Yamane replaces the injured Hiroki Sakai, while fit-again midfielder Hidemasa Morita comes in for Ao Tanaka.

Costa Rica make only two changes to the team that started the campaign with a 7-0 drubbing at the hands of Spain in Group E.

Teenage winger Jewison Bennette and defender Carlos Martinez drop to the bench, with Gerson Torres and Kendall Waston replacing them.
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Starting line-ups:

Japan (4-2-3-1)

Shuichi Gonda; Miki Yamane, Kou Itakura, Maya Yoshida (capt), Yuto Nagatomo; Wataru Endo, Hidemasa Morita; Ritsu Doan, Daichi Kamada, Yuki Soma; Ayase Ueda

Coach: Hajime Moriyasu
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Costa Rica (5-3-2)

Keylor Navas; Keysher Fuller, Oscar Duarte, Francisco Calvo, Bryan Oviedo, Kendall Waston; Celso Borges, Yeltsin Tejeda, Gerson Torres; Anthony Contreras, Joel Campbell

Coach: Luis Fernando Suarez (COL)

Referee: Michael Oliver (ENG)
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