BRIGHTON, England (Kyodo) — Brighton’s Kaoru Mitoma netted his second English Premier League goal of the season Saturday in a 4-2 loss to a visiting Arsenal side featuring Samurai Blue World Cup teammate Takehiro Tomiyasu.
With his team trailing 3-0, Mitoma reduced the deficit in the 65th minute at Amex Stadium when he controlled a pass from Pascal Gross and calmly finished past Arsenal keeper Aaron Ramsdale.
“I kept my cool. I was able to strike it with my right foot the way I had pictured before I got the ball,” said Mitoma, who starred for Japan at the recent World Cup in Qatar.
Mitoma played all 90 minutes after starting on the left wing for Brighton, while Tomiyasu entered in the 60th minute for Arsenal, who extended their lead at the top of the table to seven points.
Former Kawasaki Frontale standout Mitoma has flourished as a regular starter under new manager Roberto De Zerbi at Brighton, who finished the calendar year in eighth place.
“Without a doubt, (2022) was a big year,” Mitoma said. “We have to mature further and step up to the next level as a team.”
In the Spanish top flight, Takefusa Kubo helped third-place Real Sociedad register a 2-0 win over visiting Osasuna.
The Japanese attacker was involved in the buildup to Brais Mendez’s opening goal, exchanging passes with the Spanish midfielder before he struck for the hosts in the 22nd minute.
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