Japan 1-0 Panama: Liverpool striker Takumi Minamino scores penalty to secure friendly win in Austria… as South American side see goalkeeper Luis Mejia sent off for bad foul on former Arsenal man Takuma Asano
- Takumi Minamino scored the winner as Japan beat Panama 1-0 in a friendly
- The Liverpool man was felled by Panama’s Luis Mejia before scoring the spot kick
- Goalkeeper Mejia was then sent off later in the half for fouling Takuma Asano
Liverpool striker Takumi Minamino scored the winning goal as Japan beat Panama in a Friday friendly in Austria.
Minamino started the match up front alongside Villarreal forward Takefusa Kubo but had to wait an hour for his chance to open the scoring from the spot.
The Reds striker ran through on goal midway through the second-half but was felled by goalkeeper Luis Mejia and Minamino dusted himself down to slam home from 12 yards.
Liverpool’s Takumi Minamino (left) scored the winner as Japan beat Panama 1-0 in a friendly
The Reds forward slammed home a penalty on the hour mark to give his country the victory
Mejia’s evening went from bad to worse when the goalkeeper hauled down former Arsenal striker Takuma Asano, who had replaced Minamino in the second period, when charging out of his penalty area. The referee had no option but to brandish a straight red card for the Panama goalkeeper.
Minamino’s strike was his 13th goal for Japan in just 26 matches. The 25-year-old made his national team debut in 2015 after getting a first call-up 12 months earlier.
Japan’s next game is against Mexico on Tuesday, with the match also taking place in the Liebenauer Stadium in Graz.
Panama goalkeeper Luis Mejia (right) was sent off for a dangerous challenge on Takuma Asano