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With Japan already qualified for the World Cup, the national team hosted a pair of friendlies during the October international break. After a convincing 2-1 win over New Zealand last week, Japan wrapped up the two-match slate on Tuesday against Haiti.
Kagawa was inserted into the lineup for the match and turned out to be the hero. In the dying moments, with Japan trailing 3-2, Gotoku Sakai unleashed a shot from the top of the box, deflecting off a felled Kagawa and into the net.
Kagawa was tripped up moments earlier, but was able to alertly stick out a leg to redirect Sakai’s shot that was headed straight for Haiti goalkeeper Johnny Placide. Take a look at how the play unfolded.
Kagawa will return to Dortmund this week after his heroics. Hopefully some of that momentum will carry over into his play in the Bundesliga for the remainder of the first half.
Congratulations on the goal, Shinji!