Captain Dōan Strikes Late as Japan Beat New Zealand 2-1 to Win Kirin Cup

Japan are champions of the Kirin Cup again, and it took their captain to make it happen. Eintracht Frankfurt winger Ritsu Dōan struck a 71st-minute winner to seal a 2-1 victory over a spirited New Zealand in the final at Tokyo's National Stadium on Monday night.

The Samurai Blue, backed by more than 60,000 supporters, opened the scoring in the 28th minute when Shuto Nakano's cross from the left was finished from close range by Ayase Ueda — the Lille striker's fourth goal in four matches. The lead lasted barely four minutes. New Zealand broke quickly through captain Chris Wood, who held off his marker and laid the ball back for Ben Old, and the Saint-Étienne midfielder drove it home from the edge of the box to stun the hosts at 1-1.

Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu turned to his bench midway through the second half, introducing Keito Nakamura among a triple change, and the move paid off seven minutes later. Nakamura broke down the left and crossed for Dōan, who arrived at the far post to sweep the winner into the net.

It is Japan's 12th Kirin Cup title, secured the hard way after they needed a penalty shoot-out to beat Ecuador in the semi-final — just as New Zealand did against Panama. Earlier in the day, Panama claimed third place by edging Ecuador 7-6 on penalties after a 1-1 draw.

The win caps Japan's first international window since their elimination by Brazil in the last 16 of the World Cup, and sends Moriyasu's side into January's Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia — drawn with holders Qatar, Thailand and Indonesia — on a high. It will be Moriyasu's last tournament in charge before Go Oiwa takes over.