FRANKFURT (Kyodo) — Hidemasa Morita set up the opener as Sporting Lisbon grabbed a 3-0 win at Eintracht Frankfurt, featuring fellow Japan midfielder Daichi Kamada, in Champions League Group D on Wednesday....CONTINUE READING THE FULL ARTICLE>>>
The goal arrived in the 65th minute when Morita’s low cross from the left inside the box was controlled by Marcus Edwards, with the English attacker’s ensuing shot taking a slight deflection on its way in.
Morita also played a part in Sporting’s second two minutes later, providing a first-time pass from inside his own half up the field to set off a counter that was finished off by Francisco Trincao.
“It was really emotional hearing the CL anthem,” Morita said as he, like Kamada, made his Champions League debut. “I felt there’s room for improvement (with my play) and am hoping to build on this performance.”
Nuno Santos scored the third for the visitors in the 82nd minute as the Portuguese outfit outmuscled the Europa League champions from Germany.
Kamada had a huge chance to hand his side the lead in the first half when he ran behind the opposing backline, but his cutback was weak and gathered by the keeper when he could have gone for goal himself.
Morita played the entire game, while Kamada was replaced by former Japan captain Makoto Hasebe seven minutes from time.
Tottenham beat Marseille 2-0 in the other Group D match.
