Olympics 2021: Kubo scores in Japan 4-0 win over France

Kubo was once again on the scoresheet for Japan as they cruised into 2021 Olympic quarter finals with a 3-0 win over France.

The 20-year-old has opened the scoring in Japan’s last two group stage matches, although unlike against Mexico, it took 27 minutes for the tournament hosts to find the back of the net. The goal came from a rather nothing chance that France’s goalkeeper’s deflected, but failed to hold on to. The ball fell fortuitously and Kubo collected the loose posession to score for the third game in a row.

Five minutes later, Japan were 2-0 up. Kubo was involved in the build up of this goal and, once again, the final shot came from a deflected save from France’s goalkeeper.

Kubo came off early in the second half, but one way traffic largely nonetheless without him. France did have one good chance from a set piece which was headed away for a corner. However, their chances of mounting of a comeback were effectively over after Japan scored a third. Muani was then sent off for a poor challenge with 15 minutes left on the clock. Tomada compounded the misery with a fourth seconds before the 90th minute.

Japan will play New Zealand in the quarter finals on Saturday, a game they will be favorites to win. Elsewhere, Reinier Jesus managed just under 20 minutes in Brazil’s 3-1 win over Saudi Arabia and Spain qualified for the quarter finals with a 1-1 draw to Argentina.