Daizen Maeda scored Japan’s decisive fifth penalty as the team beat Ecuador 5-3 in a shootout after a 0-0 draw in the Kirin Cup Soccer 2026 on 1 October. The Ipswich Town player came on in the 79th minute and did not score during the match itself.
How Japan beat Ecuador
Japan and Ecuador were level 0-0 at the end of their match at International Stadium Yokohama in Kanagawa. Japan then converted all five of its penalties to win the shootout 5-3. The Japan Football Association’s match report identifies Ayase Ueda, Daichi Kamada, Hiroki Ito, Yuki Soma and Maeda as Japan’s successful takers.
Goalkeeper Zion Suzuki saved Ecuador’s third attempt. Maeda, identified by the Japan Football Association as an Ipswich Town FC player, took Japan’s fifth penalty and scored.
Maeda’s role in the match
Maeda and Yuki Soma entered the game in the 79th minute, according to the Japan Football Association. His contribution came in the shootout, not in regulation time: the match report records no Maeda goal before the final whistle.
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What happened next
In its report published on 2 October, the Japan Football Association said Japan was scheduled to face New Zealand in the final on Monday, 5 October, at National Stadium in Tokyo. That is the schedule as reported on 2 October.
What Japan’s coach said
Japan head coach Hajime Moriyasu said the team had prepared for the possibility of penalties: “We had also prepared for the possibility of penalties because our aim was to win, reach the final and ultimately lift the trophy, and that preparation paid off today.”
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- REVIEW THE SIZE CHART: We recommend carefully reviewing your chest and length that correspond to the US size chart in the image before purchasing to ensure the best fit.
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