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Photo: Leslie Kee
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About PSG's Japan Tour 2022
Goals by Lionel Messi and Arnaud Kalimuendo gave Paris Saint-Germain a 2-1 win over Kawasaki Frontale on Tuesday, with France’s domestic champions overcoming a strong defensive effort by the reigning J. League holders at a packed National Stadium in Tokyo.
PSG, visiting Japan for the first time on a three-stop tour that will also see them play Urawa Reds and Gamba Osaka, arrived in the capital with an all-star lineup featuring the fearsome front line of Messi, Brazilian phenom Neymar and France’s 2018 World Cup MVP Kylian Mbappe.
But they found themselves stymied by a determined Frontale side that deployed a compact defense rarely seen by their J. League opposition, playing competently and boldly despite missing several key players to national team duty for the ongoing EAFF E-1 Championships.
"It was a very rhythmic and exciting match," new PSG manager Christophe Galtier said. "Our opponents are in the middle of the season, and in many senses they were very prepared."
Frontale created most of its chances up the left side of the pitch through Brazilian forward Marcinho, who sent his team’s best opportunity of the first half wide in the 17th-minute during a tense one-on-one against PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.
A counterattack by the visitor followed immediately afterward, ending with Frontale goalkeeper Jung Sung-ryong denying Mbappe in one of many fine first-half saves by the South Korean.
After 30 minutes of scoreless action, Messi — no stranger to Japanese crowds thanks to his FIFA Club World Cup visits with Barcelona in 2011 and 2015 — found his own effort cleared off the line by midfielder Chanathip, known in Asia as the “Thai Messi” for his short stature and strong technique.
But the Argentine would not be denied, scoring the opening goal after the restart with a low shot that deflected off Frontale defender Kyohei Noborizato’s right foot and inside Jung’s right post.
Frontale’s players would have been pleased to head into the halftime locker room with a 1-0 deficit against one of the richest clubs in the world, and Toru Oniki’s men continued to stand strong against the Parisians even after Kalimuendo, who is reportedly being pursued by the English Premier League’s Leeds United, slide home from close range to double PSG’s lead.
One-time Japan international Kazuya Yamamura halved the deficit in the 84th minute with a fine header off Tatsuki Seto’s cross, setting up an exciting conclusion to the match despite stars from both sides having long since taken their seats on the bench.
The announced attendance of 64,922 marked a new record for the stadium, which was rebuilt to host the 2020 Tokyo Olympics but has rarely seen capacity crowds since its completion due to the coronavirus pandemic.
"I’m very happy we were able to play in front of so many people," Oniki said. "The loss is disappointing, but the players held up strong despite the deficit.
"There were many ways we could have challenged ourselves even more, but I think we saw a lot of potential in what we've done over the last few days."
PSG will continue its tour against Urawa at Saitama Stadium on Saturday, concluding its trip at Panasonic Stadium Suita against Gamba on Monday.
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