Itakura and Scally win with Japan and USA
Borussia’s international players Ko Itakura and Joe Scally both recorded wins with their respective national teams. Japan decisively beat El Salvador 6-0, while the USA won 3-0 against Mexico.
Japan
The Japan national side celebrated a 6-0 win over El Salvador in a friendly match in Toyota. Borussia’s central defender Ko Itakura made his 19th international appearance for the “Samurai Blue” and played all 90 minutes. Shogo Taniguchi (1’), Ayase Ueda (4’, penalty), Takefusa Kubo (25’), Ritsu Doan (44’), Keito Nakamura (60’) and Kyogo Furuhashi (73’) all scored for the hosts. The Central Americans were already at a disadvantage in the third minute, when Ronald Rodriguez Gomez received a red card. Japan will face Peru in Suita in another friendly match on Tuesday (11:55 CEST).
USA
The USA are through to the final of the CONCACAF Nations League. In a heated semi-final, they defeated Mexico 3-0 in Las Vegas. Joe Scally was substituted on in the 89th minute and made his fifth international appearance. Christian Pulisic led his team to victory with a brace (37’, 46’). Ricardo Pepi scored the third goal (78’), and two players from both teams were sent off. César Montes was the first to see a red card (69’), followed two minutes later by Weston McKennie. In the final period, Sergino Dest and Gerardo Arteaga clashed and were also sent off. The USA will face Canada in the final in Las Vegas on Monday night (2:30 CEST).
