Good attendance at Ajinomoto Stadium for the last friendly match of Juventus Japan Tour when the Bianconeri met FC Tokyo. The match ended 4-1 in favour of Capello’s lads, who overturned the 0-1 conceded in the first half with goals by Trezeguet, Sculli and a double by Del Piero, who was once again awarded as best player of the match.
The area reserved to the home side is crowded and they show all their enthusiasm to support their players, the area on the opposite side, crowded just as much, supports Juventus. Many are the black&white shirts, and two are the banners dedicated to our champions Del Piero and Nedved. And it’s the Czech himself who has the first scoring occasion of the match, however his shot is deflected out for a corner by the goalkeeper (4’).
Four minutes later, Kapo gets into the box but his fine action is eventually countered by the opponents’ defence. Then it’s FC Tokyo attempting on goal with Fujita, Chimenti clears for a corner. Following the corner, Toda nods the ball in and it’s 1-0. Capello’s squad gets back into attack and gets some good occasions, the most dangerous with Del Piero and Trezeguet. On 45’ minutes, Kondo hits the post.
During the break, Capello replaces Parisi with Sculli. After 7 minutes, it’s 1-1. Nedved’s shot is cleared by the goalkeeper, the ball bounces back to Trezeguet who kicks it in. On the other side, Toda engages Chimenti while again Nedved and Trezeguet get dangerous in attack and, after the Czech’s assist, Trezeguet is anticipated by a defender. It’s still Toda who tries to kick it in but the ball ends out of target.
With their usual determination, Juventus do not give up and continue attacking, overturning the result in three minutes’ time. The first goal is scored by Sculli, who’s served after a pass between Kapo and Nedved and he beats the goalkeeper who reaches the ball but cannot stop it from passing the goalline (29’). The 3-1 goal is signed by Del Piero who, after a cross from Kapo, kicks it in with a great right-footed shot (31’). The captain scores the 4-1 goal as well, after intercepting Nedved’s shot and beating the goalkeeper with a precise drive (37’). Vanni Pessotto, Garbini Pereira and Tchite enter in the final minutes of the game.
F.C. TOKYO-JUVENTUS 1-4
GOALS: 9’fh Toda, 7’sh Trezeguet, 29’sh Sculli, 31’ and 37’ sh Del Piero
F.C. TOKYO: Shiota, Fujita (36’sh Asari), Jean, Moniwa (42’sh Sakoi), Omata, Konno, Miyazawa (36’sh Ikegami), Kurisawa (12’sh Kobayashi), Ishikawa (33’sh Suzuki), Toda, Kondo (1’sh Baba). Manager: Hara. Substitutes: Endo, Danilo
JUVENTUS: Chimenti, Biridnelli, Zebina, Thuram, Parisi (1’sh Sculli), Nedved, Aronica, Pessotto (44’sh V. Pessotto), Kapo (44’sh Garbini Pereira), Trezeguet, Del Piero (44’sh Tchite). Manager: Capello. Substitutes:: Bonnefoi.
REFEREE: Toshimitsu Yoshida
YELLOW CARDS: 22’fh Aronica, 27’fh Omata, 31’sh Del Piero
ATTENDANCE: 35.102