Kirin Challenge Cup 2019

Japan 0 – 0 Trinidad and Tobago

Trinidad and Tobago goalkeeper Marvin Philip was singled out for special praise after playing a big part in shutting out host Japan in the scoreless draw in the Kirin Challenge Cup.

Try as they might, the Samurai Blue, featuring the attacking threats the likes of Shoya Nakajima, Yuya Osako and Junya Ito could not bulge the Trinidad and Tobago’s net after 90 minutes of football. There were many moments where Philip, the guardian between the post, was called upon to make the important saves.

Trinidad and Tobago newspaper wrote with much praise: “Marvin Phillip produced a string of second half saves this morning to save a clearly fatigued TT team.”

“Japan, with their typical short passing and probing style, were clearly the superior team but the TT defence initally did well to stay organised and put their bodies on the line to make crucial blocks when all else failed.”

Caribbean media Wired868 was equally impressed with the 34 year-old goalkeeper’s heroics, who has not played competitively for seven months. The match report stated, “Marvin Phillip helped the Trinidad and Tobago Men’s National Senior Team to an unlikely goalless draw,” and furthered, “Phillip’s sharp reflexes and sound handling glossed over Trinidad and Tobago’s failure to keep the ball or work it past Japan’s first line of defence near the half-line.”

Japan will play El Salvador next in the Kirin Challenge Cup on 9 June.

For Japanese football news: CoolJapan Soccer

Sources: Yahoo, Newsday, Wired868

Images: gettyimages