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Japan kept their World Cup quarterfinal hopes alive with a clinical 26-5 win over an ill-disciplined Samoa. Expected to be a much closer affair, Samoa had three players sent to the sin bin and were penalized 17 times in a sloppy performance. Japan dimnated possession and territory in the match as they improved to 2-1 in the World Cup while Samoa dropped to 1-2 and out of the quarterfinal race.
Japan got the scoring started in the 3rd minute with a penalty goal from fullback Ayumu Goromaru. After two Samoan players were given yellow cards over the span of three minutes, Japan added to their lead with a 24th minute penalty try and conversion from Goromaru to stake Japan to a 10-0 lead. The penalty try was the culmination of a powerful scrum push by Japan.
Goromaru added a 34th minute penalty to extend the Brave Blossom’s lead to 13-0. Japanese wing Akihito Yamada closed out the half. The ensuing conversion gave Japan a controlling 20-0 lead at the break.
Japan started the second half much like the first as Goromaru slotted two more penalties to put Japan up 26-0 as Samoa continued to run afoul with South African referee Craig Joubert.
Samoa attempted to get back into the match with a 64th minute try from Paul Perez, but that was as close as it got. Samoa wasn’t able to get any closer as Japan secured another important win.
With only the USA left on their Pool B schedule, Japan are a strong favorite to finish pool play with a 3-1 record. Even with South Africa defeating Scotland today, Japan remains in 3rd place in the pool. Japan needs a win over the USA and a Samoa upset over Scotland to sneak into the 2nd spot in the pool.
Samoa, meanwhile, has only the role of spoiler left to hang onto. The side came into the World Cups with high hopes of reaching the quarterfinals, but has struggled in every match, including their lone win over the USA.
Scoring Summary
Japan 26
Tries: Penalty Try (24′), Yamada (41′)
Conv: Goromaru (24′, 42′)
Pen: Goromaru (8′, 24′, 48′, 59′)
Samoa 5
Try: Perez (64′)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQpIPgnjfdM
