Classic Matches
Nov 30

France vs Japan 2001

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In the build-up to the Japan vs J-League XI charity match, here's a look back at a previous UFWC title match involving the current unofficial football champions, unfortunately for Japan ending in a heavy defeat: CLASSIC UFWC TITLE MATCH:

France 5-0 Japan

24 March 2001 Friendly Stade de France, Paris Scorers: Zidane (pen), Henry, Wiltord, Trezeguet (2) This second attempt by Japan to win the UFWC title ended in a crushing defeat � although the scoreline may have been a little harsh. Official European champions and unofficial world champions France had gone five games without loss (six if you include a 2-1 win over a FIFA Stars XI) since winning the Euro and UFWC titles. The great Zinedine Zidane opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the ninth minute, and Thierry Henry added a second five minutes later, firing the ball underneath the squirming body of goalkeeper Seigo Narazaki from a narrow angle. But it wasn't all about France, and Japan's Hidetoshi Nakata almost pulled a goal back with an incredible 20-yard shot that smacked against the top corner of the goalframe. In the second half, Nakata again threatened to put Japan back into the game with another long-range shot that stung the hands of French keeper Ulrich Rame. But it was France who scored the next goal, with substitute Sylvain Wiltord heading home from close range following a Zidane corner. Another sub, David Trezeguet, the man who had grabbed the golden goal in the Euro final, scored a fourth in the 61st minute, and a fifth in the 68th. Despite being 5-0 down, Japan continued to push forward, with Nakata unleashing another long-range effort that narrowly missed the target. But the Samurai Blue were well beaten by unofficial world champions Les Bleus. France lost the UFWC title in their next match, losing 2-1 to Spain.

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