Japan Opens Olympic Men’s Soccer With 1-0 Win Over South Africa

Jul 22, 2021, 1:14 PM

Takefusa Kubo of Japan looks on in the Men's First Round Group A match between Japan and South Africa during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Tokyo Stadium on July 22, 2021 in Chofu, Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Berengui/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)

(Photo by Berengui/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)

BY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Sports Producer

TOKYO (AP) — Takefusa Kubo has scored the only goal with a curling strike off the post to give Japan a 1-0 victory over South Africa in their opening match in men’s Olympic soccer.

The Tokyo Stadium was empty due to pandemic restrictions.

Kubo is a 20-year-old forward signed up to Real Madrid who has yet to play for the Spanish giants while gaining first-team experience elsewhere in La Liga.

Home country, home goal 🇯🇵

Takefusa Kubo scores to make it 1 – 0!#TokyoOlympics x NBCSN pic.twitter.com/meCtTArCSW

— #TokyoOlympics (@NBCOlympics) July 22, 2021

In the other Group A game, Mexico beat France 4-1.

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