As part of the 3rd round of the group stage of the OI-2020, Japan will face off with New Zealand. Will the Japanese be able to fight?
Japan
The most important match will be held by the Japanese national team, in which it must definitely win, otherwise there will be practically no chance of reaching the playoffs. At the moment, Japan is the only team in Group A that has not scored points yet. In the first round, the hosts of the Olympics lost to Australia (3-5), and in the second they were weaker than the national team of Argentina (1-2).
New Zealand
The reporting confrontation is also important for New Zealand, which, if it wins, will be able to practically secure the playoffs or significantly increase the chances of getting out of the group. So far, New Zealand has three points, which were scored thanks to the victory over Spain in the second round of the group stage (4-3). As for the first round, in it New Zealand lost to India (2-3).
Statistics and figures:
- Japan won in one match out of the previous four;
- New Zealand has lost in five of the last six matches;
- New Zealand approaches the match in the status of the favorite.
Forecast
Both teams need three points and will fight until the last second, but I will give preference to the more skilled New Zealand team, which in the last round, when it beat the Spaniards, showed that it is ready to fight with any opponent and achieve results.