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Junichi Inamoto played a crucial role in Japan's
well-earned 1-1 draw with Italy at the Saitama stadium today, which helps
to boost the host nations preparations for the World
Cup next year.
The Arsenal midfielder
created the opener for Atsushi Yanagisawa after just 9
minutes, when he dispossessed Italian skipper Fabio Cannavaro and then floated a perfect cross
from the left which Yanagisawa met with a emphatic looping volley over the Buffoon in Italy's goal (I think that's what it says here).
The Kashima forward returned the favour in the 22nd minute after
breaking free down the right, but Inamoto smashed the ball high from close range. Oops. Still... perfect floating cross...
that'd be handy at Arsenal if we had anyone getting into
the box regularly.
Atalanta's Cristiano Doni got Italy's equaliser soon after coming on for
his debut as a
half-time sub.
Inamoto's appearance in this "Kirin Challenge Cup" (friendly)
meant that he missed Monday's League Cup game - a match many
would have expected him to get a major role in (including,
presumably, the Japanese legions who turned up for the game).
Maybe Arsenal will kick up a fuss if Japan have another friendly
clashing with the Grimsby game...
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